A VIDEO of an arson attack on the home of a diplomat from the Democratic Republic of Congo has emerged.

The images, shot by a concerned neighbour, show the fire crews tackling the blaze in Sunny Gardens Road, Hendon, at about 11.30pm on Sunday.

A vigilant neighbour spotted the flames as they engulfed two diplomatic cars parked outside the property and managed to get the family out of the house before flames reached it.

In the video flames can be seen at the edge of the driveway, where the arsonist left a trail of petrol to ignite, and then reaching the front door of the family home.

One witness, who asked not to be named, told the Times Series he thought the attack, which is believed to have been targeted, was designed to trap the family in the house.

He said: “It looked as though the two cars had been deliberately set alight to block any escape route. It's really shocking to think someone would attack a family home like that.

“The tyres were definitely on fire and there was a lot of smoke pouring from the car, and I was worried it would catch the petrol tank and blow the cars up.”