A FAMILY of four who survived a Boxing Day arson attack on the flat below them were “lucky to escape unscathed”, according to police.

Detectives are now appealing for witnesses to come forward after Bowker Street tenant Amy Leggat, aged 25, was evacuated from her first-floor flat in Radcliffe.

Offenders had smashed the kitchen window of the apartment underneath at about 12.25am on December 26, sparking a fire in the bedroom.

Amy, her partner Martin Delaney, aged 24 and two children aged seven years old and nine months old were evacuated from the property after teenager Lewis Fouracre smelled smoke while walking past and phoned the fire service.

Police believe the blaze could have been started after a shower curtain was set alight and are now urging witnesses to the arson to come forward.

Detective Constable Nicola Kirkman, said: “Although the property was empty at the time there was family with two young children asleep in the flat above and clearly their lives were put in danger because of this reckless act.

“We need to know why the address was targeted and who is responsible and I would urge anyone who might have information to think about how they would feel if it was their family whose lives had so inexcusably been put on the line in this way.”

Amy’s mother Bev Leggat had told the Radcliffe Times her daughter felt unable to return to the Six Town Housing property for fear a blaze could occur again.

While there is no damage to Amy’s flat, police say the fire caused “significant damage” to the building with the downstairs flat believed to have been badly affected.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 8204 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.