Fire services asked police to attend Cottingley Drive, Cottingley, Leeds, after bins were set alight under electricity boxes next to gas meters, outside two neighbouring houses. The residents fled their homes after hearing a bang and smelling smoke. No-one was injured.

The four people in one of the houses included children aged six, 12, and 14. There were seven in the other house including children aged two, three, four, eight and 13.

West Yorkshire Police have urged anyone with information about the fire at 2.13am on Sunday to contact them. Officers from the City and Holbeck Neighbourhood Police Team have already conducted house-to-house inquiries and City and Holbeck CID is investigating the crimes as arson 'with intent to endanger life.'

Det Insp Jaz Khan said: "I would like to make an appeal to members of the local community, do you know anyone who is responsible for this arson?

"Do you have any information that could assist the police investigation? Did you see anyone or any vehicles in the area at this time?"

Anyone with information should call 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.