Elderly couple rushed to hospital after ‘petrol bomb’ attack on their home, as cops launch arson probe

AN elderly couple were rushed to hospital after a suspected petrol bomb attack on their home in the early hours.

The unnamed man and woman's conditions are currently unknown as Merseyside cops launched an urgent arson probe.

The blaze broke out at their house in Old Swan, Liverpool, in the early hours of Thursday.

The elderly residents were in bed at the time of the attack and suffered smoke inhalation and other injuries during the drama.

A fire was first reported to 999 at around 3.20am, prompting emergency services to race to the scene.

But the house was already surrounded by fierce flames by the time crews arrived.

The couple are lucky to be alive as enquiries suggest the inferno was sparked deliberately.

Both the local fire and police services have united forces to solve the mystery of the unexplained arson attack.

An eyewitness, who asked not to be named, even said a "petrol bomb" started the blaze.

They added: "It's terrible that this couple were in bed and this happens. They are an elderly couple.

"The police are walking around and they have a unit set up round the back. Police are doing a house to house later."

Police confirmed in a statement that their enquiries are ongoing and desperately urged witnesses to come forward to help solve the crime.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "At around 3.20am officers were called to a report of a fire at a property in the area. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service attended and extinguished the fire at an address on Dorien Road.

"A man and a woman were taken to hospital with smoke inhalation and other injuries. Further reports and examinations have established that the fire was caused deliberately.