Terrifying moment gang torch home at 2am forcing family to flee for their lives

Video footage shows the horrifying moment a gang torched a family's home in an early morning attack.

The home which was being lived in by a family with two children, happened at 2am when three men struck.

Police believe it was a suspected case of mistaken identity after the two parents and their kids ran from the blaze from a house in Wolverhampton, West Midlands.

Reports in BirminghamLive say the three men smashed a window of the house at around 2am on Monday before they poured an accelerant inside.

But the fire did not take hold and the gang ran from the scene.

The gang torched the family's home at 2am (westmidlands police)

The trio, who were seen on video fled the scene in a vehicle being driven by a fourth person.

Police shared CCTV footage of the gang running away from the scene, but they say the family managed to escape unhurt from their terrifying ordeal.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: "We need your help finding a gang of men who set fire to a family in home in what may have been a case of mistaken identity.

Police say the lit the fuel at the scene (westmidlands police)

"Three men smashed a window at the property on Jeffcock Road, Wolverhampton, at around 2am yesterday, March 28, before pouring fuel inside.

"They lit it, but luckily it didn’t take hold and the adults and two young children inside managed to escape unharmed.

"The gang fled in a vehicle driven by a fourth person."

Police added: "Detectives believe the arson attack may have been a case of mistaken identity. Anyone with information has been asked to get in touch via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk, or via 101. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Quote 20/334090/22."

But police say the gang later fled after the fire did not take hold (westmidlands police)

The Mirror told of a similar incident last mont when a woman attempted to set fire to a family home with two young children inside.

Talisa Windsor is carrying out a prison sentence after dousing the front of the property with petrol before trying to set it ablaze.

The 30-year-old has been jailed after she was caught pouring nearly four litres of fuel she had stolen from a nearby Texaco on the front of the house in Hove, East Sussex.

Prosecutors said it was a miracle the flammable cocktail didn't ignite with possibly devastating consequences as she begins a six-year sentence.

CCTV footage released by Sussex Police shows her stealing the petrol before she later lobs the bomb filled with fuel and tissue paper at the door.