A 16-year-old Trinity School student has been left fighting for his life after an arson attack hospitalised him and his two sisters.

Junaid Masud and his sisters, Nabiha, 21, and 15-year-old Malihahad had to be rescued from the first floor of their Tooting home by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.

Junaid’s mother, 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 the fire ripped through their home just before 4.30am on Sunday.

Mrs Masud 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.”

Headmaster of Trinity School, Mark Bishop, said: “Junaid is a bright and talented man from a very supportive family. "The whole communty at Trinity has been shocked to hear of this incident and our thoughts and preyers are with him and his family.

“Junaid is a genuinely charming, well-behaved and talented young man.”

Detective Chief Inspector Damian Allain, of the Met Police’s homicide and serious crime 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: “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."

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 and released on bail.

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