POLICE are searching for a man who threw a crude petrol bomb into a garden before running away with his arms on fire.

The incident happened at Chapel Close in Wick, near Littlehampton, and caused around £700 worth of damage to a shed, fence and a bicycle.

A witness saw the man throw an object, which was alight, into the person’s back garden before running away with his arms on fire.

Sussex Police say the object is thought to be “a bottle which was partly filled with a flammable liquid”.

The force is treating the incident as an arson with intent.

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Crime investigator Stefanie Peffer said: “Due to the quick action of brave members of the public, the fire caused limited damage however it could have been fatal or it could have caused devastating damage.

“We are currently treating this incident as arson with intent and we urge people with information which could help officers with their investigation to come forward.”

The arson attack happened between 11pm and 11.30pm on Wednesday, May 25.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service determined the fire had been started deliberately.

Anyone with information or who has video footage from around the time of the incident which could help officers with their investigation is asked to report it to police online or call 101 quoting serial number 1455 of 25/05.

Alternatively you can report this information to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111.