A SHOCKED woman is lucky to be alive today after surviving two night-time arson attacks.

Susan Brennan was preparing for bed when a plastic container full of flammable liquid was set alight and pushed through the letterbox of her home in Linksview Crescent, Ronkswood, Worcester.

She managed to put the fire out herself and ran to her neighbours' house to raise the alarm.

By the time fire crews arrived, a second fire had started in the conservatory. Fire officers say it was started in the same way.

Mrs Brennan - whose husband Mike was working a night shift - was treated at Worcestershire Royal Hospital for smoke inhalation and released in the early hours.

Police are treating the 10.40pm incident as arson and want witnesses to contact them.

This morning Mrs Brennan was too distressed to talk about the incident.

But Sub Officer Dave Holland, of Worcester's Green Watch, said the incident was "extremely serious".

"The consequences of such a fire could well have been fatal. The outcome could have been different if it had happened later at night."

Mrs Brennan's neighbours were horrified by the attack.

"There was a terrific thumping at the back of the house," said James Tolley, who lives next door. "We were locked up and I was getting a bed-time drink.

"We looked up through the kitchen window and saw it was our neighbour.

"She said 'Someone's started a fire in my house'. She was quite frightened. It's terribly unnerving.

"I was surprised to hear this and my wife and I went back to her house.

"It was only when the fire brigade came round that we found out about the second fire.

"If that had taken hold, it would have gone into the living room and the first fire would have gone up the stairs.

"We can't think of any reason why anyone would want to do this."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Worcester police on 08457 444888.