Police are investigating after an elderly couple's home was set ablaze.
An intruder broke into the couple's home in The Street, East Preston, near Ferring, at 2am yesterday and a car was then set on fire.
One of the occupants, who is in his 70s, was woken by his security light and raced downstairs to find his home filled with smoke.
He woke his wife and the pair fled, calling 999 from a neighbour's house.
Firefighters managed to stop the blaze spreading as police launched an investigation.
Detective Constable Dave Dowell said: "The bedroom is directly above the garage and it was very fortunate the man woke up or we could be looking at a far more serious crime.
"The fire was certainly started deliberately but at this stage we're investigating whether it was a burglary which went wrong.
"As far as the couple are aware, there is no reason why anyone would want to do this to them."
He asked anyone with information to contact him on 01243 843616.
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