Family flee as home is torched

A LIMERICK family had a narrow escape early on Sunday when their home was torched in the middle of the night.

A couple and their young children managed to flee their home at O’Callaghan Avenue, Kileely, at about 2am after it was engulfed in flames.

The family were awoken by a smoke alarm after petrol which had been poured through a letter box was set alight. As fire spread through the ground floor the couple managed to grab their children and get out of the house.

They were treated at the scene for cuts and minor burns.

Gardaí suspect that the attack may have been planned for another house but those responsible went to the wrong address.

A number of units of Limerick fire brigade brought the fire under control.

However, extensive damage was caused to the building.