A mother and her two young children had to jump to safety after a suspected arson attack on their Jaywick home.

Gutted - the house in Austin Avenue which was badly damaged in a fire in the early hours of today. Picture: STEVE ARGENT (20191-2)

The family had to leap out of their home in Austin Avenue, Jaywick, after a fire ripped through their bungalow.

The three suffered from the effects of smoke inhalation and were taken to hospital by ambulance. They were released after treatment. The two girls were aged six and four.

An investigation has now been launched into the cause of blaze, which started at 2am today. The home was the subject of an arson attack several weeks ago.

Sub-officer John Smith, of Clacton fire station, described the fire as severe and said the 41-year-old woman had to break a window to get out.

A fire investigation team were due to visit the home, which was about 70 per cent damaged by the fire, today. Mr Smith said: "At the moment, we are treating it as suspicious."

Published Tuesday, March 12, 2002