Oxfordshire fire chief John Parry has called for a review of the laws governing the sale of fireworks after a family almost died in an arson attack.

Mr Parry spoke out after the house in Ramsay Road, Headington, Oxford, was set on fire on Wednesday night.

It also emerged that police last week arrested two rogue traders thought to be behind the sale of illegal fireworks in the city.

The couple with two young children, who were asleep upstairs at the time of the midnight arson attack at Headington, escaped unhurt after being alerted by a smoke detector. It is thought a firework was put through the letterbox.

The blaze burned out the kitchen of their home and firefighters said the family were lucky to be alive.

Mr Parry said: "The Ramsay Road incident could have been a multi-fatality and endangered the lives of the family and firefighters. The smoke detector definitely saved lives."

Current fireworks regulations date from 2004 which dictated maximum noise levels, size and the period in which fireworks can be sold.

The 2004 legislation was the first update since 1875 and Mr Parry said there needed to be a further review.

Mr Parry said: "The vast majority of industry is responsible, but the rogue trader aspect is a growing concern.

"Two rogue traders were arrested in the Oxford area in the last seven days by the county council's trading standards unit and police, so there is a big issue out there.

"The British Fireworks Association has estimated that 20 per cent of the fireworks sold in this country are sold illegally by rogue traders.

"The authorities are recovering more every year but one has to ask how many are not being recovered. Since 2005, no Government department has been collating fireworks accident statistics and I believe that needs to change."

Injuries that could arise from improper storage of fireworks was another concern, Mr Parry said.

He added that he hoped it did not take a death before regulations were reviewed.