A MAN is lucky to be alive today after an arson attack on his home.
Police have described the attack as 'determined' and have urgently appealing for information.
It is thought some sort of accelerant, such as petrol, was used to start the blaze at the cottage on Lowerhouses Lane in Lowerhouses at 1.50am today.
A smoke detector woke the 42-year-old man and he dialled 999.
He was trapped in his bedroom as the fierce blaze spread from the porch into the house and up the stairs.
Throughout his terrifying ordeal he was talking to an operator at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue headquarters in Birkenshaw.
He told them at one point that he would have to jump from the bedroom as smoke was pouring in.
But the service advised him to stuff bedsheets at the bottom of the door to stop the smoke and told him exactly how long fire crews would take to get there.
Crew Manager Bryan Rowley, of Huddersfield fire station, said: "He was trapped in the bedroom, waving a torch, when we arrived.
"We immediately put a short extension ladder up to the window and helped him down while other firefighters tackled the blaze.
"The smoke detectors saved his life. He was very lucky."
Police scenes of crimes experts examined the home during the night. It was badly damaged inside.
Det Con Russ Conlon, of Kirklees CID, said: "This was a determined arson attack and it is vital anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area or knows who is responsible should contact us immediately."
Phone Det Con Steve Bedford on 01484 436685 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
