A BUSH and fence were set alight outside the home of a mother and baby as they slept, in what police believe could have been an arson attack.

Firefighters were called to the blaze on Burford Close, Warndon, Worcester, at 1.16am today while officers believe it was deliberately started by setting alight a pile of nearby litter.

The flames appear to have then spread onto the bush, which is completely scorched black, as well as several fence panels, just a couple of feet from the house.

Detective Inspector David Knight, of West Mercia Police, emphasised, “setting fire to property is dangerous”.

“They may think they are just setting fire to litter but this could be much more serious,” he said.

“Four years ago a wheelie bin that was set on fire led to the death of Andrew Heath.”

According to the police log notes, the victims have no idea who committed the offence, but officers are working to establish the culprit’s identity.

It said: "No real reason for a bush or hedge to set on fire with the weather being as it has been."

The partner of one of the occupants, who did not wish to be named, told the Worcester News he was up late playing video games at the house when he noticed the fire.

“I was up playing on my Xbox at about 1am and saw it from the window," he said, speaking outside the house on Monday morning.

“I went to go to the toilet and looked to my left and thought: ‘wow’. I ran upstairs and told everyone to get out of the house.”

He confirmed: "I have no idea who could've done it."

Det Insp Knight added: “Warndon Safer Neighbourhood Team are aware of the crime and are working hard to try to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Daniel Martin, aged 29, was handed a 10 year jail sentence for manslaughter in 2013 for killing convicted sex offender Andrew Heath.

He pushed the wheelie bin up against the front door of Mr Heath's Warndon flat, sparking a rapidly spreading fire blaze in which the 52-year-old was killed.