A YOUNG brother and sister were put through a terrifying ordeal by older youths who attempted to set them alight.
The youngsters, aged six and four, were wrapped in wallpaper by three teenagers who then tried to set fire to the paper using a lighter, but failed.
The children ran off, unhurt, to their nearby home in Foxwood, York, after the attack on Monday.
The incident, details of which have just been made public, echoed the tragic death of 15-year-old Michael Temperley in a burning skip in Gateshead, on the same night.
North Yorkshire fire brigade's arson reduction officer, Mick Brighton, said playing with fire was a growing phenomenon but few youngsters realised the potential consequences of their actions.
"The fire brigade is tackling the root cause by teaching children of the dangers of fire," he said.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue operate an advice line which offers information on fire setting behaviour. They can be contacted by telephoning 0800 074 0064.
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