YOBS who posted a lit firework through the front door of the home of a sleeping family have been branded ‘mindless idiots’.

Firefighters said the attack on the home of estate agents Deborah and Paul Ainsworth Lord and their three young children was ‘stupid’ and ‘nasty’ and could have been potentially fatal.

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The terrified couple, who live off Park Road, Darwen, woke to a loud bang and huge plumes of smoke at around 1am on Sunday Mrs Ainsworth Lord has now offered a £500 reward for information leading to a conviction of those responsible.

She said: “It came through the letterbox and there was a massive bang.

“Then there was a big orange flash. It was really scary.

“And in the aftermath there was a horrible smell and loads of smoke.

“My husband Paul went outside for a look but he couldn’t see anyone.

“We rang the police but there is no evidence so there wasn’t much they could do.

“It was very distressing. We had to open all the windows to get the smoke out.”

Mrs Ainsworth Lord, who along with Paul runs Ainsworth Lord Estates in Darwen, said they had heard fireworks going off earlier in the night.

She said: “I think there was a party going on somewhere.

“They are idiots. Just mindless idiots.

“They did that and just left and did not know the consequences of what they had done.

“I cannot believe there are people out there like that. It makes me sick.”

Mrs Ainsworth Lord said only the letterbox was damaged and the couple had ordered a new door for their property.

The family, including children Bobby, eight, and six-year-old twins Alfie and Katie, were saved by the bristles on the inside of the letterbox which firefighters said prevented the firework from shooting through the hallway.

Mrs Ainsworth Lord said: “We have been quite lucky with the amount of damage it caused as it could have been so much worse.

“We are offering a reward of £500 for the culprit to be caught and convicted.

“Hopefully someone with a conscience will come forward.”

Darwen’s neighbourhood policing sergeant Dave Sherrington said he had been shocked by the incident.

He said: “This is a very serious matter because people can die.

“If someone puts a firework through a letterbox and it catches fire if can cause serious problems.

“We want to reassure people that there is a low risk of this happening and we are investigating this incident.

“We will be working with the fire brigade to try to stop this happening again.

“It is that time of year when there are fireworks being set off and we will be doing visits to places that sell fireworks and launching an educational programme in schools.

“We will also carry out visits in areas where we have had problems with fireworks before.”

A fire service spokesman said: “If people are putting fire through a letterbox, be that in the form of a petrol-drenched rag or a firework, it can so easily kill.

“The other thing people forget is that firefighters will make every effort to get everyone out and that puts their life at risk as well.

“If it was a prank or if there was a more sinister motive the consequences can be the same.

“It is a vicious thing to do and is potentially a killer.

“It is more than just stupid. I don’t think stupid is the right word in this case. It is nasty.”