A FAMILY had to flee for their lives in the middle of the night after arsonists destroyed a car outside their house.

Mum Lauren Bassey is adamant the serious incident should be treated as attempted murder.

She was asleep in their house in Second Avenue, Canvey, when the family were suddenly woken by fire.

The blaze had already spread to their garage, almost reaching the house. Thankfully, fire crews were able to put it out before it did.

Posting on Facebook, mum-of-two Mrs Bassey said: “I actually can not believe anyone could do such a horrible thing to people for no reason.

“Not only did they set fire to my car with my kids’ car seats in there and their Nintendo DS console - which I know I should have taken out, as well as my husband’s work stuff and everyday family stuff as it’s a family car, they also set alight my garage which leads to my house.

“You’re not just looking at a arson attack but also attempted murder as we were sleeping.

“I’m so gutted, I don’t get what they get out of this.

“I know the main thing is we are OK but it took the fire service over a hour to come.

“I’m just glad they got the fire out.”

Mrs Bassey also thanked neighbours for helping.

She added: “The car and garage are replaceable, but it’s the feeling of not feeling safe.”

The car was completely destroyed in the fire and the family has been left shaken and very upset.

Neighbour Gemma Allan added: “My son heard it and woke me up.

“He thought it was gun shots.

“My poor neighbour.

“She was apologising to everyone that had been woken up bless her.

“She’s such a lovely girl and was in bits.

“It was terrifying.

“It’s unbelievable that it took firefighters way over an hour to get here to put it out.

“She’s lucky her house didn’t go with it.

“It was unreal.

“The car was literally like a fireball.”

Other neighbours described hearing loud bangs and an alarm while the fire was destroying the car.

The fire service has confirmed the cause of the blaze has been recorded as deliberate, but did not comment on it taking an hour for a crew to arrive. Two engines, from Canvey and Rayleigh Weir, did get there at 3.50am on Sunday.

Despite claims it took around an hour for the fire service to arrive, a fire spokesman said it was 33 minutes.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police were called by the fire service to a car fire in Second Avenue at around 4.50am.

“Our officers did attend and the incident is being treated as arson and police are now investigating.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Essex Police on 101. Or alternatively they can Crimestoppers Anonymously directly on 0800 555111.