A TERRIFIED mother has today told how she and her children ran for their lives when their limousine company was targeted by arsonists. Lyn Thompson who runs 1st Choice Leisure in East Bergholt with husband Phil said the attack which left a blazing car right next to their home could have put the lives of their young children in danger.

A TERRIFIED mother has today told how she and her children ran for their lives when their limousine company was targeted by arsonists.

Lyn Thompson who runs 1st Choice Leisure in East Bergholt with husband Phil said the attack which left a blazing car right next to their home could have put the lives of their young children in danger.

It is the second attack on a limousine company in just one week. Last Friday the owner of BKP limousines in Norwich Road, Barham drove a blazing car out of a line of vehicles to stop them all catching fire.

Tuesday's attack happened while Mr Thompson was out working in one of the company's two limousines.

Mrs Thompson had put their daughters, aged eight and four, to bed in the family's bungalow, but as she went to bed herself at around midnight, a limousine parked just feet from the bedroom became engulfed in flames and she had a race against time to get the out of the house.

Mrs Thompson, 40 said: “It was very frightening, whether they waited for my husband to go out or it was a coincidence I don't know.

“I had just got into bed and I heard a noise and thought it was a door. I wish I had looked outside because I might have seen something. There was a whoosh and then my bedroom was glowing orange.

“My fears were for my children who were in bed and my first thought was to get them out, we had to go down to the end of the garden and were worried the car would explode.”

Fire crews called to the scene managed to put out the flames before it spread to the house, but the car has been completely destroyed after being set light to in three places.

Mrs Thompson added: “We are worried it could be connected to the other attack last week, and it is so strange. We have absolutely no idea why someone would target us. It was so dangerous that we just can't get our heads around it. They put people's lives at risk, to set fire to a 30 foot car in front of a bungalow just beggars belief.”

But the pair has vowed they will not be beaten and said other companies have rallied round to help ensure they can meet their bookings, which currently include the school end of year proms and parties.

A Suffolk Police spokeswoman confirmed the incident is being treated as arson and appealed for anyone with information to contact Pc Ned Wright on 01473 613500.

Have you been the victim of an arson attack? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk