A FAMILY of five and a disabled elderly couple were forced to flee their homes today after joyriders torched a stolen car.Police estimate the incident in Hurricane Place in Ipswich caused damage valued at more than £25,000 to the homes and three vehicles.

A FAMILY of five and a disabled elderly couple were forced to flee their homes today after joyriders torched a stolen car.

Police estimate the incident in Hurricane Place, Ipswich caused damage valued at more than £25,000 to the homes and three vehicles.

Mother-of-three Sam Haynes fled from her home with her husband and three daughters, the youngest of whom is only one-year-old.

Mrs Haynes said: “I just heard chaos outside, then a bang on the front door. I just ran downstairs and looked out of the window and saw orange flames everywhere. We are obviously shocked.”

Disabled Alex Henderson, whose property shares carport with the Haynes' home, had his specially adapted Renault Kangoo totally destroyed.

The 59-year-old, who has had three heart attacks, was treated by paramedics for high blood pressure at the scene.

Mr Henderson said: “My heart was going a little bit. All I heard was a bit of a bang.

His wife Lita, said: “If the three petrol tanks had blown the whole place would have gone up, but we are all safe and that's the main thing.”

Emergency services were called to the Ravenswood estate around 3.47am after an E registration Ford Escort, the Henderson's Renault and the Haynes' Hyundai Santa Fe 4x4 went up in flames.

The fire quickly spread to the joint car port, guttering and double glazing.

Sub officer Tony Vickers, who attended the scene, said the Ford Escort is believed to have been stolen and was left behind the two other vehicles exploding into flames.

Firefighters put out the blaze by 4.21am.

Nobody was seriously injured as a result of the incident.

A fire service spokesperson said: “The fire is being treated as suspicious. A full fire report will be carried out.”

Inspector Matt Dee, of Suffolk police said: “It is believed a stolen vehicle was involved in a collision with a number of parked cars and ended up in the driveway of a semi-detached property and as a consequence of that caught light. It subsequently set alight to neighbouring vehicles and also the carport of the property.”

Officers were today investigating whether the stolen Escort is connected with a report earlier in the night of two males, aged around 18, who were seen trying to get into vehicles in Cavendish Street.

If you have any information about the fire at Hurricane Place telephone Pc Leon Mower at Ipswich police station on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.