Home firebombed while children slept

Photo / File

Police are investigating a suspicious fire which started when an unknown object was thrown at a bedroom window while a family slept.

The two adults, their young children and their dog managed to escape the fire which blazed through the upper level of their Turua house without serious injury at about 3am today.

Police believe it was not a random act and acting detective senior sergeant Dean Anderson said the outcome could have been dire. Police were unable to comment on the exact motive of the alleged attack, but said it could be linked to a smaller fire previously lit against the front fence.

The occupants of the house were being interviewed and a scene investigation at the Awa St property was underway to establish the cause of the fire and who was behind it.

Waikato fire safety officer Kevin Holmes confirmed the couple's two children were asleep in their bedroom but they also managed to escape without injury.

The Herald earlier reported a firebomb was understood to have been thrown through at the window. The glass smashed and a small fire ignited in the master bedroom.

Fire crew put out the fire which caused major damage to the first storey of the house.

The public is urged to contact Thames Police on 07-867 9600 with any information that could assist with the investigation.