A DISTRAUGHT father was clearing up today after his family were the target of a third arson attack in as many weeks.

Tom Potter

A DISTRAUGHT father was clearing up today after his family were the target of a third arson attack in as many weeks.

Frank Gray, 19, who lives in Robeck Road, Ipswich, with his partner Laila Sewell and their two-year-old son, Matty James, said he was concerned for his child's safety and he wouldn't let the vandals win.

Mr Gray said: “We were just going to sleep when we heard a bang on the door.

“I opened the door to a woman who told me to get out of the house quickly because the garden fence was on fire.”

Mr Gray hurriedly led his family out of the house to wait for the fire brigade who were already on their way.

Firefighters were called to the semi-detached house at about 12.25am today after three wheelie bins went up in flames and caused the fence to catch light just six feet from their home.

It took a fire crew ten minutes to get the blaze under control at the house, which Mr Gray says has become a regular target for arsonists.

Mr Gray said: “We moved here in January and since then three wheelie bins have been set alight outside, a window has been smashed, our back door has been destroyed and now this.

“They haven't succeeded in burning the place down yet but I'm concerned for the safety of my son.”

He said he has reported the matter to the police each time and has already given a statement about today's fire.