A MOTHER and two children escaped from a suspected arson attack at their Cwmbran home in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The woman, named locally as Meryl Jones, and two of her four children were evacuated by police and firefighters from the blaze in Garw Wood Drive, Croesyceiliog.

Two police officers were the first to arrive at the scene just after 1am on Saturday, and found the hallway alight, but the officers managed to put out the fire using an extinguisher from their patrol car.

Mrs Jones and the two boys, aged ten and 16, were treated at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, for minor smoke inhalation, but were later allowed out.

Gwent Police said the fire was started maliciously, and are appealing for witnesses.

A youth was arrested and is being held in police custody for questioning.

Neighbour Mavis Loft said the community was "shocked and horrified" by the attack.

"We are all very distressed about it," she said. "This is such a quiet area and we don't have any problems here. The family could have been killed."

Neighbours say the Jones family are well-known and liked by everyone in the close-knit community.

Meryl and her husband, Keith, have lived in Croesyceiliog for eight years, say friends.

They have four boys, Jonathan, Jason, Jamie and Joshua, known as the Four Jays.

It is believed Jamie, 16, and Joshua, ten, were the two youngsters in the house at the time of the fire. Their father, Keith, was working a night shift.

The eldest son, Jonathan, was believed to be in Spain.

Neighbour Richard White said: "They are totally inoffensive and a very nice, popular family. Why anybody would do this is beyond me."

Gwent Police Inspector Tony Green said police were treating the incident as "malicious".

"The cause of the fire is still being investigated," said Inspector Green. "It is too early to know if any accelerant was used."

Gwent Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack, and anyone who may have been near the BP petrol station on Avondale Road, Cwmbran, on Friday evening to call 01633 838111.