Hooded Men on Bike Start 'Huge Fire' in House with Man Trapped Inside

Neighbours have told of the terrifying moment they realised a man was inside a property that police believe was deliberately set on fire. Two hooded men were seen circling Roxburgh Street in Walton before a house was set on fire. Footage obtained by the ECHO shows the two figures, dressed in dark clothing, driving the bike around Roxburgh Street in Walton an hour before the fire was started.

Merseyside Police believe the arson attack happened in the street at around 10.20pm on Friday night after one man got off a scrambler bike and threw a brick at the window of a house in Roxburgh Street. It is believed the same man then poured petrol through the broken window, starting what became a large blaze inside the property.

Neighbours have today described the terrifying moment that the fire took hold of the house with a man still inside. One resident said: \"I came out of my house after hearing the crash and commotion and the fire was already huge at this point, there were sparks flying from the window.\"

She said an older man who lives in the house was still upstairs as the flames grew, adding: \"We were shouting up to him but he either couldn't hear us or couldn't get through the fire, or maybe he was too scared to try. The fire team arrived quickly and manage to get it out fairly quickly and took the man out of the house. A lot of us neighbours just stood in shock for a good hour, just glad no one was seriously harmed.\"

Another neighbour told the ECHO: \"When I came back to my house last night there was nothing going on, then five minutes later there was a big fire in that house, with big flames coming out of the living room. Then there were fire engines, ambulances and police cars all in the street. We saw them bring the man out of the house. He was staggering a bit but he was ok I think. I think they got him out just before the fire got really big. The police and firefighters were looking under cars, we heard them talking about looking for a lighter.\"

One person living in the street said she had seen two men on a bike hanging around the area around an hour before the fire was started. Doorbell footage shows two men in dark clothing on a scrambler bike in the vicinity of the address at around 9.35pm.

Neighbours told the ECHO that there have been a number of concerning incidents in and around Roxburgh Street in recent times. One said: \"There seems to constantly be problems in this area. It’s become disgusting. Families don’t even feel safe in their own homes any more.\"

Another neighbour added: \"There is always drama in this road, it's not Roxburgh Street, it is more like Coronation Street.\"

A joint investigation into the suspected arson attack has now been launched by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Police, and anyone with any information is asked to contact police. Officers say that there were two offenders who made off on a scrambler bike towards Hale Road.

Chief Inspector Ben Wayment said: \"We are in the early stages of an investigation and are appealing to anyone who was in the area at around 10pm onwards and witnessed the arson to contact police. This is a totally reckless act, especially with the recent incident where two people sadly lost their lives to such a mindless act. Let me be clear, arson puts the lives of residents in serious danger. Thankfully no one was hurt from this mindless act which could have ended in a fatality.\"

\"I am appealing to anyone who was in the vicinity at around that time and witnessed the incident or has information then please get in touch.\"

Anyone with information should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also report information via their website or call with log 1212 of 25 July.