A SCARED mother has told how she and her five children fled their Dudley home for their lives after they were the targets of an arson attack.

Tairah Aftab believes her and her children would have all been killed if it were not for her 16-year-old smelling burning and raising the alarm.

The family car on the drive at Redcroft Road was deliberately set fire to and then rolled into the house as it exploded, setting fire to the house.

The horrifying incident happened at around midnight on Saturday (May 29).

The car blew up in the arson attack

The car blew up in the arson attack

Police are investigating the blaze - Tairah believes she knows who started it - but has no idea why she is being targeted.

She said: "My son woke me up at midnight. He said there's a fire.

"I was in total shock. I called 999 and all I could think about was my children - I was screaming about my kids.

"All my neighbours were out shouting and calling 999. We could see the car was on fire.

"Then next thing we know the front door was on fire. The police said to get out of the house but I was in total panic - I was frozen. I wasn't worried about myself, just my children.

"If it wasn't for my 16-year-old I think it would have been over for us.

"I'm still shaking and in shock. I can't believe what has happened to us."

Stay-at-home mum Tairah, whose husband Aftab Hussain, aged 43, is in Pakistan after his brother died, has no idea what has prompted the family to be targeted.

She says she was threatened about a week ago by some one who said to her "you're going to get bashed."

She said: "I'm quiet. I keep myself to myself. I have good relationships with my neighbours and the school.

"Why would someone do this to me?

"I don't understand."

The home on Redcroft Road. Pic: Google

The home on Redcroft Road. Pic: Google

Tairah has seven children - five of whom live with her. Her older children have left Pegasus Academy in Dudley and her younger children are at Sledmere Primary. Her children living with her are aged 17, twins aged 16, an eight-year-old and a seven-year-old.

She is staying with a friend and getting CCTV installed at the home so the family can return.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We’re investigating after a car was set alight in Redcroft Road, Dudley around midnight on Saturday 29 May.

"The car rolled towards the house and set the front door on fire.

"A woman and five children at the address were able to leave the house safely.

"No-one was hurt.

"Enquiries are on-going and anyone with information should contact us via Live Chat on our website or call 101 quoting log 21 of 29/5.

"Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111."