DETECTIVES are hunting firebugs behind two random arson attacks in a Basing-stoke neighbourhood.

The arsonists set light to paper and pushed it through the letterboxes of two homes in the Rooksdown area in the early hours of Friday. An exploded aerosol can was also found on the doorstep of one of the properties.

The attacks happened between 4.30am and 4.45am at addresses in Pumphouse Way and Park Prewett Road.

In the first incident, the occupants of the Pumphouse Way address were woken by their doorbell and then a large bang.

When they went to investigate, they discovered a burning piece of paper had been pushed through their letterbox, and a fire in a wheelie bin which had been pushed to the side of their house. They successfully tackled the fires and alerted the police.

In a separate incident at a house in Park Prewett Road, the occupant was also woken by the sound of her doorbell and two loud bangs at her front door.

She did not investigate at the time but when she went downstairs later that morning, she discovered a burned-out notebook near the front door and an exploded aerosol can.

PC Alix Davis, from Basingstoke CID, said: "These incidents could have resulted in serious injuries or much worse for those inside the properties.

"At this time, they appear to have been random attacks on innocent members of the public and we are working hard to try and identify the people responsible for these extremely dangerous acts.

"Officers from Hampshire Fire Rescue Service are delivering awareness leaflets in the area and we would reinforce this message by asking residents, where possible, to ensure their bins are in a secure place away from their property.

"Due to the early hour, there would not have been many people around, but someone may have heard or seen something that will help us with our investigation."

Anyone with any information should contact PC Davis, at Basingstoke police station, by calling the 101 non-emergency number or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.