A mother of four whose children were left fighting for life following a horrific arson attack has pleaded for the community to “pray for my children”.

Rubina Masud, 53, and her eldest son, Zain, a 22-year-old city banker, were forced to jumped out of a first floor window as fire ripped through their home just before 4.30am on Sunday.

Her daughters, Nabiha 21, 15-year-old Maliha - who attends Burntwood School in Tooting - and son Junaid, 16, had to be rescued from the first floor by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.

Nabiha, who is asthmatic and is due to get married this October, was resuscitated by paramedics in the front garden of the home in Lessingham Avenue, Tooting.

All siblings were in a critical condition late on Tuesday, suffering from burns and smoke inhalation.

Their mother also suffered burns but was released from hospital on Monday.

She said: “I am devastated at what has happened. I can’t believe anyone would do such a thing. I am just really concerned for my children, please pray for them.”

Detective Chief Inspector Damian Allain, of the Met Police’s homicide and serious crime command squad (HSCS), said arsonists poured petrol through the family’s letterbox before torching it.

Neighbours tried in vain to reach the family by breaking down the back door, he said, but were beaten back by flames.

He said the borough's youths held the key to tracing those responsible.

He said: “We have got potential motives but I don't think it is a random attack. The information we have is that this will have been discussed between local youngsters in the area.

“They will have heard who is responsible for this. They need to look at how horrific this attack was and tell us what they know."

Detective Inspector Graeme Gwyn, of the HSCS, added the Masud's were a “decent and respectable family”.

He said: “People might think they have information that is insignificant but it could fit in with our jigsaw of events. They need to call us so we can find out of the information is truthful and fits.”

Police are keeping an “open mind” on a motive for the attack but ruled out a link to a suspected arson attack in the same street three weeks earlier, in which three people were rescued by firefighters.

Anyone with information should contact police on 020 8721 4805 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Two teenage boys, 15 and 14, were arrested in connection with the incident on Monday.

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