An 86-year-old woman died after industrial strength fireworks were used to attack her neighbours car.
Residents heard a loud explosion at 1am when fireworks were used to set a Land Rover Discovery on fire in Highgate Road, Maghull.
As police tried to evacuate residents from the house next door, an elderley woman fell and sustained a head injury. She died in hospital a few hours later.
The woman was named locally as Margo Rougen. It is understood she was helping her frail husband to evacuate when she fell.
Police have said two men are thought to have been responsible for the arson attack. Detectives believe the arsonists had a car parked up on Oakhill Road which they used to leave the scene of the crime. Highgate Road is a few minutes’ drive from Northway, the dual carriageway that leads to the motorway network and Bootle.
Detective Chief Inspector Gayle Rooney said: “The actions of the people who set this car on fire are completely reckless, with no regard for the safety of people living nearby.
“The couple next-door should have been tucked up in bed, but instead as a result of the actions of the offenders, emergency services were left with no option but to wake them in the early hours of the morning to get them to safety.
“Sadly, the 86-year-old lady died several hours after the incident and her family are now having to come to terms with her sudden loss.
“We believe this was a targeted attack and I would appeal to anybody who has any information about those involved in this despicable incident to contact Merseyside Police as soon as possible so we can bring those responsible to justice.”