A FAMILY of four were lucky to escape with their lives after an arson attack gutted their home.

Neighbours reported hearing loud bangs as fire caught hold of the home in Trussel Road, Northville, Cwmbran, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police believe bags of rubbish outside the terraced home were deliberately set alight, and say an arson investigation is under way.

Secretary Pat Delaney and her three children Gareth, 21, Christopher, 12, and Luke, seven, managed to escape the blaze before it became too serious.

The family were alerted to the fire at around 1am by smoke alarms in their home and ran into the street where they were helped by neighbours.

The eldest son, Gareth, was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, and treated for minor smoke inhalation.

But their home is so badly damaged the family are now living in a hostel in Fairwater, Cwmbran.

Next-door neighbour Jason Cox was the first on the scene. He told the Argus: "I heard a huge bang and ran outside. Gareth had got the kids out and I took them in. They were quite badly shaken. I wanted to help put the fire out but it was too bad.

"It could have been a lot worse. If Gareth wasn't quick on his feet he might not have got the children out in time."

Other neighbours spoke of their shock that the well-liked, quiet family, who have lived in the house for ten years, were the victims of a deliberate attack.

Close friend and neighbour Debbie Sainsbury said: "I saw a small fire outside the house and then all of a sudden it hit the PVC and it just went up. It's a bit scary really. Nobody would have any reason to do this. They are a lovely family. Very quiet, always helpful."

Firefighters battled for three hours to extinguish the blaze, which severely damaged most of the ground floor of the house.

Leading firefighter Jan Bushell, of Cwmbran station, said: "It appears that the fire was started deliberately by someone lighting rubbish outside the house."

Sergeant Becky Taylor, of Cwmbran police, confirmed police were treating the blaze as suspicious.

"At the moment there is no apparent motive," she added. "It could have been a lot more serious if the family hadn't had a smoke alarm."

Police are urging anybody with information to call them on 01633 838999.