A FAMILY of eight had a dramatic escape from an Alton house in the early hours of Tuesday morning after a van, owned by Blackmoor businessman Jock Trodden, exploded outside, in a suspected case of arson.

David Cashman, employed by Mr Trodden, and his family were woken by a loud bang and when they looked out they saw the blue Inveco van, which had been parked up next to the Geales Crescent house, engulfed in flames which had spread to front of the house.

The couple rushed to get the children - six of them aged eight to 18 - out of the house, running through smoke and fumes described as "overpowering". They also managed to rescue the two family dogs.

The family could now be homeless for Christmas because the Radian Housing Association house was left uninhabitable.

For full story, see this week's Bordon Herald.