A serial arsonist is being hunted after an elderly couple’s home was firebombed.

Police believe the attack, at a house inWick, near Littlehampton, could have been targeted and are linking it to a previous attack on the elderly couple’s car plus a further 24 arson attacks in the Littlehampton area.

Emergency services were called to the house in White Acre at about 1am on Sunday after a petrol bomb was hurled at the doorstep.

The terrified couple managed to put out the fire before the fire service arrived, and were not hurt.

Detective Constable Duncan Peake of West Sussex CID said: “We are considering the possibility this attack was targeted. Neighbourhood policing officers visited the area yesterday to talk to residents and appeal for witnesses.”

Police are also linking the attack to a spate of car fires in the Littlehampton area, including two in Western Road at about 4.55am on Saturday.

A reward of £500 was offered at the start of May for any information which leads to an arrest or prosecution in the investigation, which has been named Operation Maestro.

At that time, Inspector Gavin Whitehouse said: “I think someone thinks it might be fun but it is a risk to members of the public and the emergency services and could have tragic consequences.

“We are linking these as they have all being committed in the Wick area of Littlehampton in the early hours of the morning. I believe someone knows who is doing it and I would urge them to come forward.”

The investigation is also considering 59 thefts in April from cars in Littlehampton and Arundel. The number was double the tally for the previous April.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said it was not yet clear whether the attacks were being carried out by one person or a group.

Anyone with information about any of the incidents should ring Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 quoting Operation Maestro.