A PETROL bomb was thrown through the front window of a house in a terrifying early-morning attack.

Four children were at home at the time of the incident, in Healey Grove, Heworth, York but all managed to escape unharmed.

Police said forensic experts were now carrying out tests on a bottle filled with "some sort of inflammable liquid".

It was hurled through the window of the house just before 2am yesterday.

Offenders said the incident was being treated as an "extremely serious" one, and appealed for any witnesses to get in touch.

Neighbours today spoke of their shock at the incident but said it came as no surprise, in the wake of a history of crime and antisocial behaviour in Healey Grove.

Nearby resident Ken Fairburn told The Press: "There have always been problems around here.

"Last night, I was woken up by a woman shouting at about 2am, but to be honest there's usually someone shouting, so I didn't think very much of it.

"We get the police around here a lot."

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: "There was somebody at the back of the house having a party all night, making a lot of noise, so I just put my music on to try and drown it out.

"We have had to put up with a lot of trouble around here for years, like people throwing eggs and scratching cars."

The house targeted by the offenders was empty yesterday, and the broken window boarded up, although shards of glass still littered the front yard.

York Police spokesman Colin Ventress said: "At about 2am on Monday morning a house in Healey Grove had a petrol bomb or some other sort of incendiary device thrown through the window.

"There was a small fire, and four children were in the house at the time, but all of them are safe and well. Fortunately, no one was injured."

Firefighters were called to the scene just after 2am, but a spokeswoman said the fire was out by the time they arrived.

Mr Ventress said inquiries to trace the offenders were ongoing.

Anyone with any information about the incident should phone police on 0845 6060247.