Drung house target of `molotov cocktail' arson attack

Horsham Detective Senior Constable David Ellis said around 4am on Monday someone smashed a window of one of the North Road property's bedrooms and threw a type of `molotov cocktail' into the room which started a fire.

"A male occupant was asleep in an adjacent room and was woken by the window smashing and by smoke," Det Sen Const Ellis said.

"He has escaped the burning house and managed to call the fire brigade. Green Lake and Horsham CFA attended and put out the fire.

"The CFA then called police."

Det Sen Const Ellis said the arson attack was a serious crime and it was lucky no-one was seriously injured or killed.

"The potential for injury and loss of life was significant. This is a very serious crime and we are treating it seriously," he said.

"Something similar to a molotov cocktail was used but we haven't determined exactly what form it took.

"The person responsible for this is likely to face arson and associated charges.

"It is unacceptable that someone is prepared to undertake such a drastic method of getting their point across. Someone is willing to risk someone's life to make a point.

"It is also unacceptable given the impact that fire has on this community and across the state. There was not only the potential of damage to the owner's life but also to emergency services and anyone else who attended."

Det Sen Const said police were calling for public information.

"We have a number of avenues of inquiry that we are following," he said.

"But if there is anyone who saw anything or heard anything in the area they should call us or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000."

CFA Region 17 operations officer Alfred Mason said two appliances from Horsham and Green Lake brigades attended the fire.

"The fire was contained to the point of origin, there was a window broken and about a metre of carpet damaged," Mr Mason said.

"There was more smoke damage than fire damage."