A FAMILY were ‘scared to death’ after an arsonist deliberately torched their two cars before the fire spread to the house - leaving the front door in flames while an eight-month-old baby was inside.

On September 12, 27-year-old Abigail Gawthorpe awoke to a loud bang shortly before midnight.

Upon closer inspection, Abigail found that two cars outside her property had been deliberately set alight - with the harrowing event captured on a doorbell camera.

Firefighters from Dearne, Tankersley and Cudworth stations were called to the property on Midland Way, Wombwell, at 11.50pm and tackled the blaze for well over an hour before leaving the scene.

A 21-year-old man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of arson.

Abigail told the Chronicle the incident has left her and her three children - nine-year-old Sienna, seven-year-old Louie and eight-month-old Ophelia - terrified.

She added: “We were asleep in bed with my eight-month-old baby in the front bedroom when we heard a big.

“It was our car that was set on fire first.

“I had to get my three young children out of bed and then out of the house but the front door was on fire.

“I was scared to death for my children so this has really panicked me.

“They also panicked because they had to run past the fire.”

Abigail estimates that the damage will cost more than £9,000.

“My car, my sister’s car and my house all went up in flames,” she added.

“I now can’t live at my home due to the damage that was caused.”

A fundraiser has been set up in a bid to help support the family whose lives have been ‘turned upside down’ by the blaze - and Abigail admits she has been moved by the support of the community around her.

She added: “We need to pay off the car that was set on fire and help my sister get another car because they went up in flames.

“We’ve also lost my children’s belongings - things like car seats.

“It is very overwhelming that a fundraiser has been set up but I didn’t want to be a charity case.

“But we are already £9,000 down before even starting with anything else.”

Family friend Chloe Hughes, who set up the fundraiser, added: “Abigail and her family were involved in a completely shocking fire that’s absolutely turned their lives upside down.

“It’s written off two vehicles and caused immense damage to the family’s home.

“I’m trying to raise money for them to help replace the items they lost in the fire, and the money will help to get the family some new vehicles.”

A police spokesperson confirmed enquiries are ongoing.

“At 11.54pm on September 12, we responded to reports of a fire on Midland Way, Wombwell.

“It is alleged that an unknown man set fire to a grey Volkswagen Golf.

“The fire spread to two other vehicles, a silver Vauxhall Corsa, and a white Vauxhall Combo van.

“Three properties were also damaged externally by the fire.

“No injuries were reported.

“A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson and remains in police custody at this time.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

To donate to the fundraiser, follow the link on the Barnsley Chronicle website.