POLICE are searching for arsonists who set fire to a house while its seven occupants were inside the property.

Fire chiefs and police say the occupants were lucky to escape with their lives.

It is believed five of them were upstairs and the other two downstairs when the blaze started. All of them escaped unhurt.

The incident happened on the Waterdales estate at Northfleet in the early house of Saturday. It is thought the arsonists discharged some kind of accelerant into the porch area of the property.

It was then set alight, causing extensive damage to the porch, hallway and part of the upstairs area of the house.

A Kent Police spokesman said the culprits had placed the lives of the seven occupants at risk. He said officers were appealing for witnesses, or anyone with information, to contact them on 01474 331055.

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