THE FAMILY of a teenager who suffered serious burns in an arson attack are hoping to move to Harwich after weeks living in a hotel.

Jade Coleman, 13, had fallen asleep in the caravan neighbouring her family’s home in Humber Avenue, Jaywick.

Her mother, Susan, woke with a start after hearing a noise and watched on in horror as the caravan was engulfed by flames.

Aware her daughter was asleep inside, she feared the worst.

She said: “My initial thought was ‘she’s still in there and she’s died.’”

Susan rushed outside to find her daughter had made a miraculous escape.

In the seconds before the terrifying ordeal unfolded, quick-thinking Jade was awoken by the sound of the arsonist preparing the attack.

“She was screaming, I looked her over and could see in a second how bad it was,” Susan added.

“When she woke up she was facing the window and could see the hand of the person who did this, and she heard a lighter clicking.

“She was immediately struggling to get out, it was really dark in the caravan and the flames started coming towards her.

“She was trying the doors, but it was dark and they were locked - there was no time.

“The heat was forcing her back, burning her face and she was frightened for her life.

“She managed to escape through the window.”

Jade was taken to Colchester General Hospital, where she was treated for serious burns to her arms, legs and face.

She is making a remarkable recovery from her injuries, but has been left emotionally scarred by the attack.

Susan cares for Jade and her four other children, aged ten, 11, 14 and 16, alone.

The family are too scared to remain at their home for fear of further attacks and are instead living at a nearby hotel.

Susan said Tendring Council has found her a council home in Harwich, but she is concerned she will not be able to afford the rent.

“It has made us homeless as we can’t go back there,” she said.

“We don’t know anyone in Harwich and I’m worried about how much it will cost.

“Christmas won’t go ahead for us this year, I don’t know what I am going to do.”

Investigating officers with Essex Police have released CCTV footage of the attack and several appeals for information, but are no closer to finding the culprit.

The attack took place shortly before 2am on Tuesday, September 20.

Detectives believe people in the Jaywick community know the identity of the person responsible.

Anyone with information about the incident can call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.