STAFF at an Indian restaurant are fearing for their lives after arsonists firebombed it while they slept above.

Police said residents and traders in Helmsley, North Yorkshire, were in a state of alarm after the second arson attack on Helmsley Spice in two months.

Firefighters alerted police at 2.45am on Wednesday (January 21) after suspects smashed 12 windows before throwing six bottles filled with accelerant and rags at the town centre restaurant.

Two landed inside and caught fire, two were found outside the restaurant, but did not ignite and another two, which had ignited, were found outside.

The restaurant's owner, Dulal Ahmed, said his head chef and a family friend had been awoken by an explosion and as they tried to exit the building were overcome by fumes from the fire in the restaurant.

He said: "They could not move forward, the fumes were too much, so they ran for their lives and managed to get out through the back door.

"The restaurant is terribly damaged and the smell of the smoke is disgusting, so we have had to close and hope work can be done in the next week or so."

Detectives said there had been a similar attack at the restaurant on December 3, when a rag and accelerant was pushed through the letterbox and ignited.

Mr Ahmed, who launched the restaurant two years ago, said: "Somebody is trying to kill us.

"We can't think of anybody who can do this to us.

"Sometimes we might have a delayed takeaway where the customer gets upset, but that wouldn't cause someone to do this.

"People in Helmsley are very nice, they appreciate our hard work and I can't think of anyone who is upset or is a racist."

In a message to the arsonists, he added: "Whatever intentions you have, you will not succeed and we will carry on."

The arson attack, which saw part of the town centre closed, has shocked residents in the town overlooked by the North York Moors National Park, who reported just six crimes to police in November.

Chairman of Helmsley Town Council, Chris Parkin said the restaurant was a welcome addition to the town and had found its staff amenable.

He said: "When something like this happens it always makes people nervous and business owners will become more vigilant."

Detective Sergeant Ken Proctor said: “This is a very worrying attack on a rural business premises which has also caused alarm in the local community.

“We are carrying out extensive enquiries to track down the suspects and are appealing to anyone with any information to contact us.

Anyone with any information should call police on 101.