iStockDetectives in East Ayrshire have launched an investigation following a deliberate attempt to set fire to a house whilst a family slept inside.
A vehicle was also targeted during the attack in Beechwood Avenue, Auchinleck, at around 3am on Tuesday.
Police said the fire did not take hold and there was “minimal damage to the property”.
Detective constable Steven Grey, from Kilmarnock CID, said: “This was a deliberate attempt to set fire to a home, where there was a family asleep within, and there could have been disastrous consequences had it properly taken hold.
“It is vital the despicable individual responsible is caught and I would appeal to anyone with information to come forward.
“If you were in the area in the early hours of Tuesday morning, and saw anything at all suspicious, please get in touch.
“I would also urge any drivers with dashcams who were on the road at the time to check their footage in case they have captured anything which could be of significance.”
If you have any information, call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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