A family had to save their nine month old baby from an arson attack at their home.

The blaze broke out in a plastic garden shed at a property standing at the junction of Dorothy Road and Old Shoreham Road on Saturday evening.

It quickly engulfed the rear-facing kitchen window and realising the fire was too big to fight themselves, the occupants grabbed their baby from upstairs and got out through the front door.

A passing police patrol spotted the fire and radioed for the fire and rescue service to attend. Several 999 calls were also made by people who saw flames reaching the roof of the house.

Fire crews quickly doused the fire before it could further damage the property, but the cause is being treated as suspicious and is now being investigated as possible arson.

Detective Constable Chris Hike, of Brighton CID, said: "This was a lucky escape for the family. Had they been asleep at the time the consequences could have been serious.

"Next to the house is a path linking Dorothy Road and Old Shoreham Road, and I would ask anyone who was in the area at around 10pm on Saturday or who has any information as to how the fire may have started to phone Sussex Police.”