A SHOCKED householder today told of the frightening moment her York flat was firebombed.

The woman, who asked not to be named, spoke as police appealed for information to help catch the arsonists.

There was only minor damage in the attack on the woman's flat at Buckden House, in Sowerby Road, Acomb - but both police and fire crews warned the consequences could have been far more serious.

The woman was at home when the bomb, a glass bottle filled with flammable liquid and with a lit rag for a fuse, hit her flat.

She told the Evening Press: "I was just in the kitchen and I heard this bang and I suddenly saw flames shoot up the window.

"I looked out and there was a bottle full of petrol with a fuse coming out of it which hadn't smashed.

"I went into the kitchen and got some bowls of water to put out the flames.

"It came as a real shock that someone would do something like this."

Detective Sergeant Nigel Costello, of York CID, said: "Although only minor damage was caused to the flat, this incident could have had far more serious consequences.

"We are treating this as a very serious incident and we are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything, or anyone who has any other information."

The incident happened at about 8.30pm on Tuesday.

North Yorkshire Fire And Rescue Service spokesman Terry Glover said firefighters discovered the petrol bomb had been thrown on to the balcony of the flat and had caused damage to a door.

He warned: "This was a very dangerous thing for someone to do and people's lives could have been at risk.

"It was not just a threat to the people inside the flat as a petrol bomb is an extremely volatile thing and can explode before it is thrown. Our firefighters put themselves at risk tackling accidental fires and could well do without facing the same risks from preventable fires such as this."

Two local youths have been arrested and questioned by officers in connection with the incident. They are currently on police bail.

Anyone who saw anything or who can help the police with their inquiries should contact York CID on 01904 631321. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Updated: 13:33 Friday, March 14, 2003