A YOUNG woman was taken to hospital suffering from serious burns after an arson attack at a house in South Woodford.

The 22-year-old, who has not been named, was staying at the address in Grove Road on Monday, May 8 when the attack occurred.

Emergency services were called just after 3.20am to find the front porch of the house ablaze.

A police spokesman said: "It appears that a suspect had approached the residential address and poured a flammable substance on to the front step before moving away and igniting the liquid."

Fire engines from Walthamstow and Woodford managed to control the blaze that damaged portions of the entrance hall.

The house was cordoned off while the fire investigation unit carried out tests and the woman was taken by ambulance to Whipps Cross Hospital.

Police are not naming the specialist burns hospital to which the woman has been moved, but say she remains there in a stable condition.

Police are looking for a black man aged around 20, wearing a dark jacket, tracksuit bottoms with a white stripe running down each leg, and training shoes.

Anyone with information should call Ilford CID on 8345 2710.

Or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.