FEARS are growing for a mum and her young son missing after an arson attack on their seaside home.

Police said two people were “unaccounted for” following yesterday’s ferocious blaze at a house in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

Detectives, who could not access the house last night because it was so badly damaged, said the fire was started deliberately.

Neighbours said a woman and her four-year-old toddler lived at the property with her husband - the lad’s father.

A man in his 20s was rushed to hospital with severe burns after escaping through a window.

The fire broke out at 1.20am at a two-bed terrace in Croxden Way, Lower Willingdon.

Stunned neighbours reported seeing a petrol can on fire outside its front door.

A neighbour who asked not to be named said: “We were woken up by the neighbours shouting ‘fire’ and begging for the fire brigade.

“I looked out the window and saw an inferno of flames coming out the front door and window.

“Then the bathroom window exploded and that set the tree in front of the house on fire.

“Before you knew it, the roof was on fire and you could see the flames coming out of the rear of the house, billowing smoke and everything.

“It was horrendous.”

Another neighbour, Nikki Strange, said: “Apparently mum and baby didn’t make it. Dad is in intensive care.”

Structural engineers are expected to be called in before fire investigation experts can begin a probe.

No arrests have been made.