By Luke Traynor, Liverpool Echo

THE head of a groundbreaking social housing project destroyed by arsonists says the charity will rise from the ashes.

Three homes were razed to the ground in Kingsley Road, Toxteth, yesterday morning causing estimated damage of up to £150,000.

The Liverpool Echo

The site's security guard was pinned down by a gang who assaulted him before dousing the standing timber frames with petrol and setting them ablaze.

Today, charity Habitat for Humanity issued a rallying cry and vowed it would stand up against the criminals.

The £1.9m complex to provide affordable homes for people who struggle with mortgages had a completion date for its 32 houses to be built within five years.

The Rev Dr Shannon Ledbetter, chairwoman of Habitat for Humanity, said more volunteers and funding were needed to keep the timescale of the project on track.

She said: "We aren't going to let these people get us down, but instead come back stronger and stay united.

"The phone hasn't stopped ringing since the fire with countless prom-ises of support and manpower.

"It gives me heart to see the character of the Liverpool people come shining through at times like this.

"The charity is bigger than this and has already made a huge impact bringing people from different walks of life together."

A firm has already been contacted to replace the timber frames torched in the blaze at a cost of £30,000.

Three families, all with children, who had been signed up for homes on the site, visited the arson-hit area yesterday.

Dr Ledbetter said they fought back the tears to pledge their continued support to the project.

Merseyside police have described the arson attack as "despicable".

Chief Supt Andy Cooke said: "We're studying a number of lines of inquiry and are keeping an open mind to the motive.

"This is a despicable attack on a project that was set to make the community a better place and improve the surroundings.

"I'd appeal to the community to speak to police so we can catch these offenders."

The security guard, from Somalia, was being interviewed by detectives yesterday with an interpreter.

Mr Cooke added it was too early to say if an arson attack on the site in February was linked.

Anyone with information should call 0151-777 5737 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

IF you would like to contact Liverpool Habitat for Humanity to give a donation or help with building work, call the charity on 0151-707 9440.