NEIGHBOURS have spoken of their shock after two elderly grandparents were firebombed out of their York home.

The couple, who are aged 78 and 81 and have lived in Lucas Avenue, Clifton, for nearly 50 years, were going about their normal evening routine when arsonists threw a blazing object through their living room window.

As flames leaped from the front of their house, rescuers from nearby houses ran to their aid, some noticing a strong smell of petrol.

Neither is believed to have been in the front room when the firebomb was thrown and the couple escaped serious harm, but police said they were “deeply distressed and shocked” by the incident, which left their home so badly damaged that it is uninhabitable.

Now officers are appealing for everyone in Clifton to help them catch those behind the “callous and cowardly” attack, which they said could so easily have had tragic consequences.

Local residents told The Press they could not understand why anyone should target the couple, who had children and grandchildren, had lived in York all their lives and loved gardening. They said the grandfather was a retired lorry driver and the grandmother a regular attender at St Luke’s Church, Clifton.

Margaret Hunt, who knows the couple well, said: “It’s frightening. There’s never been anything like this here. Everyone has a good word for them. They would do anything for anybody. You couldn’t ask for better neighbours.”

Relatives and neighbours immediately rallied round the couple after the incident, giving the couple shelter and comfort.

A close neighbour wrote on Facebook: “I can’t even imagine what it would have been like if that was my home! Such a heartless thing to do, to anyone. I hope they get caught.” Despite the efforts of York and Acomb firefighters, who fought the blaze for more than an hour, the house was devastated and many of the couple’s belongings and furniture were destroyed.

Police mounted extra patrols to reassure residents and detectives immediately started a major hunt for the arsonists. They found a green, plastic five litre petrol can nearby which they believe may be connected.

Detective Constable Adam Heatlie, of York CID, said: “This was a callous and cowardly attack on an elderly couple, which has deprived them of their home. The couple are obviously deeply distressed and shocked by what has happened. It could so easily have had tragic consequences.

“We do not know why anyone would target this property. At this stage we have not ruled out the possibility that this was a case of mistaken identity. Either way, those responsible showed no concern for the outcome.”

The police put out an appeal for everyone in Clifton who has CCTV on their house that covers roads, pavements or alleyways, to check film taken between 8pm and 10pm on Friday.

They are already checking all City of York Council CCTV images.