The home of a former Rose of Tralee has been firebombed in an arson attack. The attack occurred at the Kildare home of Charmaine Kenny, who was crowned with the title in 2009.

Kenny’s quick thinking detective father prevented the family home from going up in flames when he contained the fire. But the front door to the family home was completely destroyed.

Garda Detective Leon Kenny and his wife Marian were inside their house when a petrol canister was alight outside their front door in Athy, Co. Kildare.

"The flames were high and licking the roof above the door," Detective Kenny told the “Evening Herald” in Dublin.

The police officer suspects his family home was targeted because of his work a detective.

"Marian went to the window to see what might have set it off and she saw the door on fire. It was incredible really," he said.

"We set about putting out the fire straight away, the flames were high and licking the roof above the door. I got the hose and wet blankets to put it out," Kenny added.

"Nobody seems to have been seen coming or going. It's a mystery to me who could have done it but I assume it must be something to do with my work," he said.

The family have been based in Athy for more than 20 years and Kenny is well known in the town.

"I really don't have any idea of a motive, it is all under investigation at the moment," he said.

"This is very unusual for Athy," he added.

London Rose Kenny recently moved out of the family home after she handed over her title to the 2010 Rose of Tralee last August.

"Nobody was injured, thank god," her father said.  "I put it out but it's not something you like to think about. You never know how these things can end up. We were lucky we were at the house and that we were able to salvage it.”