A DOCTOR and his family were lucky to escape with their lives following an arson attack on their home.

Police and fire officers have described the incident, in which burning material was pushed through the letterbox of the family's house in Peterlee, as "frightening and serious".

In the early hours of Monday, a passer-by spotted flame Eastfields area of the town.

The person who saw the blaze rushed to alert the family, who were able to extinguish the fire with water from the bathroom.

Sub Officer Bob Houghton, of Peterlee Fire Station, said that burning material had been pushed through the letterbox, setting fire to hall curtains which stretched from the first floor to the ground level of the house.

With no smoke alarm and a blaze barring the family's only escape route, the fire was without question life threatening, he said.

"The family is very lucky to be alive.

"If the person had not been passing by, there is a very good chance the fire would have spread and those inside would have been killed in their beds."

Fire prevention officers are to talk to the family about installing smoke alarms.

A police spokeswoman confirmed that detectives at Peterlee were investigating.

She appealed to anyone who may have see the fire being started to call police on 0191-586 2621.

A County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "This was a very frightening and serious incident. We are working very closely with the police to apprehend whoever committed this crime.