TWO balaclava clad men tried to start a house blaze in Orford in what police are calling a targeted attack.


Police say the consequences of the attack could have proved far more serious if it had not been detected early.


The men struck at a home on Alder Lane at 12.30am on Friday morning while there were people inside the property.

They poured an accelerant through the letterbox on the front door which was set alight and the door caught fire.


DC Stephen Deehan, from Warrington CID, said: "Fortunately nobody was injured as a result of this incident but the consequences could have been much more severe.

“There are properties on either side of the building which could have also been affected had the fire taken hold.


“We believe this was a targeted attack and are keen to trace two men seen in the area just prior to the event.


“The men were seen with another person pulling up in a small, two door, gold coloured Peugeot and approaching the property wearing balaclavas."


If you have any information or witnessed anything in the area on the night in question, contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 27 of Friday, May 30 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111