A GWENT couple and their baby were forced to flee their home in the early hours of the morning after arsonists set fire to a nearby garage.

Simon Thomas, 35, his wife Stephanie, 23, and their one-year-old son Bradley managed to escape from their flat in Bethcar Street, Ebbw Vale, as flames engulfed the garage just four metres away.

Two fire engines and nine firefighters were called to the scene at around 4.57am this morning.

The fire gutted the garage and destroyed Mr Thomas’ Renault Clio company car inside.

The couple, who live in the flat above the mobile phone shop where Mr Thomas works, were first made aware of the fire when they were woken by what sounded like fireworks going off outside.

Mrs Thomas looked out of the window to see the garage ablaze.

The couple quickly grabbed Bradley and ran out of the house, through the garden gate and climbed over a 3ft wall to safety.

Mr Thomas said: “We just made a dash for it, it was very hot and the fumes were immense.

“The garage is so close to the house if the fire had spread to the shed next to it we would not have been able to get out of the gate.

“It’s was really dangerous and to think someone could have started it is sick.”

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service yesterday confirmed the fire was started deliberately and the cause is currently being investigated.

Damian Cole (corr), who owns the flat and the garage and employs Mr Thomas, said he was disgusted at the actions of those who started the fire.

He said: “It is ridiculous people can set fire to a car in a garage knowing there are people living a couple of feet away. It could have killed two people and a baby.”

Mr Cole is now offering a £1,000 reward for anyone who has any information about the fire which could lead to an arrest.