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Businessman Mike Hind MBE said it "was like walking into a war zone" as a blaze roared outside the front of his home. The gym owner and his family were all in bed when fire erupted

outside their Marton home shortly after midnight on Wednesday, May 21. Terrifying footage from a Ring doorbell shows a suspect pouring liquid, believed to be petrol, on the family's

cars and van before setting it ablaze. Mike has described the horrifying ordeal in the aftermath of the arson attack and says his daughter's petrified scream has been replaying in his

mind. An investigation is now understood to be ongoing into the arson attack. Mike his wife Jenny, and their children Freddie, 16, Max, 12, and eight-year-old Skye were all in bed when the

blaze erupted shortly after midnight. "I ran out of the house and it was just ablaze. I can't explain it," said Mike. "I had two choices, to chase who had done this or

make sure my family out and try and get the fire out. "I got the kids and my wife out. My little girl screamed - that noise will neve leave my mind." Mike says he used the garden

hose to start to extinguish the fire and was joined by a neighbour who also started spraying the fire down with water. Emergency services were at the scene within five minutes and

firefighters were able to extinguish what remained of the blaze. "The fire brigade had told me that had it been another minute and a half [before we started to hose down the fire] the

three cars would have gone up and the house would have gone with it." Mike, who was awarded an MBE in 2022 for his work delivering food and essentials to vulnerable people during

lockdown, said he was interviewed by officers and a drone was used to try and locate the suspect. But no arrests have been made at this time, it is understood. Mike's 16-year-old son

Freddie joined him in searching the area in the aftermath. Mike said: "He was amazing through it. He stayed by my side. He was just a man, I can't explain how proud I am of him for

being there with me." The dad-of-three said it's terrifying to think what could have happened had the fire continue to spread. He said: "It could have been that the news this

morning was a family of five are dead, that's the worrying thing." Mike says he doesn't know why he and his family were targeted in the attack but has received online hate.

As he thanks the overwhelming support he's received since sharing the incident on Facebook, he's urged people to think about what they post on social media and how hate can

escalate. "I've apologised to the neighbours. It's not something that happens here, I feel like I've brought this to the area by posting online and trying to help people.

I think what message does that send to my kids," added Mike. "The material things don't matter, it's the affect this is going to have on my kids." A spokesperson

for Cleveland Fire Brigade said: "Cleveland Fire Brigade were called on Wednesday, May 21, to reports of cars alight on a drive in Middlesbrough. Two fire appliances were dispatched,

one from Coulby Newham and one from Middlesbrough, where a hose reel was used to extinguish the fires in which three cars were damaged. Police also attended and the incident is now under

investigation." A Cleveland Police spokesperson added: "Cleveland Police has launched an investigation after officers were called to reports of an arson in the Marton area of

Middlesbrough shortly after midnight on Wednesday 21st May 2025. "It was reported that three cars parked on the driveway of a residential property were set alight and officers, crime

scene investigators and Cleveland Fire Brigade attended the scene. Three cars were significantly damaged but thankfully no one was injured. "Detectives from Middlesbrough CID are

leading the enquiry and are working closely with our colleagues in the fire brigade. We would urge members of the public not to speculate online to protect the integrity of the ongoing

investigation whilst enquiries continue. "Anyone with information or any relevant CCTV/doorbell footage, is urged to contact Cleveland Police on 101, quoting reference number 090915.

Information can be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111." Footage can be uploaded here: Investigation launched following

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