The family of nine was just minutes from disaster when a neighbour who was out walking her dog spotted a fire in the bin cupboard of the three storey home in Paynels, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough, at about 1pm yesterday (Tuesday).

The flames were in danger of spreading from the cupboard through an interiror staircase to the home when the Good Samaritan ran in to alert the family and took their two-year-old child to safety in her arms with the rest of the family following.

A fire brigade spokesman today praised the neighbour, saying that the whole house could have gone up in flames in minutes if it had not been spotted.

Today The Evening Telegraph was told that the family had endured a series of problems since being moved to the Orton area from New England. The cause of yesterday's fire is thought to be an arson attack.

The story of the family's ordeal was told by 13-year-old Shahzarina Anasiri, interpreting for her mother ,Hazeta.

She said that the family came to the city five years ago because her father, Shir Mahamad Anasiri, wanted to leave the war-torn country and create a better life for them.

Shortly after he arrived in Peterborough, he sent for his wife and children could join him.

However, Shahzarina said the family had recently been terrorised and endured abuse since their landlord moved them to a bigger home in Orton.

The house is home to two adults, three teenagers, aged 17, 16 and 13, and four children aged 12, 11, 10 and two.

Talking about her fear yesterday, Shahzarina said: "We could smell something and then when my mother opened the front door the fire was very close to her.

"One of my neighbours, who is a teacher at Winyates Primary School, said she saw the fire when she was walking her dog, so came running over.

"She took the baby out of the house. If she didn't tell us, we wouldn't have known and the house would have been burnt down."

Shahzarina, interpreting for her mother, said it was the third time there had been a fire at their home.

Firefirghters from Stanground and Dogsthorpe were called to the blaze and watch manager at Stanground fire station, Ian Vickers said: "This could have been a very serious incident indeed. The person/persons responsible need to realise the consequences their actions could have had today.

"If those inside had not been alerted to the fire so quickly, they could have found themselves trapped on the first floor of the property with no means of escape."

Police have begun an investigation and are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to call them on 0845 4564564 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.