Masked home invaders douse a two-year-old boy and his horrified mother, 23, in petrol and threaten to set them both on fire
- Invasion unfolded at a property in Launceston's south about 7am on Wednesday
- Two men smashed their way into the home before threatening to burn it down
- Police: 'It's believed that they were looking for a male occupant of the premises'
- They doused the mother and child in petrol and threatened to set both alight
Balaclava-wearing thugs have stormed into a home and doused a two-year-old boy and her terrified mother in petrol before threatening to set them alight, police say.
The frightening invasion unfolded at a property in Kings Meadows in Launceston's south, Tasmania, at about 7am on Wednesday.
Two men smashed their way into the home before threatening to burn it down and to 'do harm' the 23-year-old mother and her young child.
'It is believed that they were looking for a male occupant of the premises who was not present,' police said.
Balaclava-wearing thugs have stormed into a home and doused a two-year-old boy and her terrified mother in petrol before threatening to set them alight, police say (stock image)
'In the process of attempting to locate the man, petrol was poured over the female victim and her two-year-old son.'
Acting Detective Inspector John Parker described the incident as 'horrific'.
'They've poured petrol over the victim and then they've poured petrol over the back of the two-year-old child and threatened to burn the child in the presence of its mother,' he told the ABC.
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'Whether it be the mother or the child … the fact that someone has had petrol poured over them and then threatened to be burned alive is a horrific act.'
The masked invaders fled after stealing a sum of cash, leaving the child frightened, but unharmed.
The mother was taken to hospital suffering 'complications from the petrol', the Acting Detective Inspector said.
The frightening invasion unfolded at a property on Kay Street (pictured) in Kings Meadows in Launceston's south at about 7am on Wednesday
Police didn't say whether or not the incident was drug-related, but confirmed the offenders were known to the occupants.
Detectives are seeking information from anyone who may have CCTV footage or who may have seen two men in the vicinity of Kay Street.
Anyone who has any information is urged to call CrimeStoppers.
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