Lancaster detectives are appealing for information after a firebomb was thrown at a block of flats on Mainway.
Shortly before midnight on Wednesday 26th February 2014, someone threw an incendiary device at a window in a block of flats at Bridge House, Mainway.
The device – a plastic bottle – hit the window frame of the ground floor flat and ignited but did not go inside the property.
Police and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service attended and a small fire was extinguished. The occupants of the flat – a woman aged 53 and her son, age 25, were not injured by the fire, but the woman suffered a minor cut from flying glass caused by a brick which was thrown at the window before the petrol bomb.
Detectives have launched an investigation and officers making enquiries have obtained information that would indicate that the offenders have attacked the wrong premises.
DI Phil Jones, of Lancaster Police, said: “This is an extremely serious incident and it is only by chance that someone was not more seriously hurt or even killed. Had this device actually entered the living room as opposed to smashing on the window frame, more serious harm may have followed.
“The lady and her son who live there are understandably upset and disturbed by the incident and the information we have obtained would suggest that the offenders have in fact targeted the wrong premises.
“We are seeking the public’s assistance and would ask that if they were in the vicinity of Bridge House, Mainway, Lancaster at the time of the offence and they saw anyone that appeared to be lighting a fire or causing damage at the building to please come forward and let us know.”
• Anyone with information should Lancashire Police on 101 quoting Log ref 1405 of February 26th or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111