These dramatic pictures show the moment flames engulfed a Gateshead garden.
Police and neighbours believe the Grange Crescent blaze may have have been deliberate.
Northumbria Police has launched an arson probe while one local told ChronicleLive they were "foaming" after waking up to flames yards from their window.
"We could have slept through it and the house could have went up," said the neighbour, who asked not to be named.
"It could have killed us all."
Asked if they thought it was deliberate, they simply added: "100%".
Firefighters raced to extinguish the flames while neighbours woke on Thursday morning to the scorched aftermath.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “This morning (Thursday), police received a report of suspected arson after a fire was started in the garden of an address on Grange Crescent, Gateshead.
“It was reported that individuals had set fire to rubbish in a front garden at around 1am, causing damage to the exterior of a number of properties.
“Enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 172 110719 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
