Police are investigating after a fire bomb was thrown at a Ravenswood unit on Wednesday night.
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Two men whose faces were covered by bandanas are believed to be at the centre of the arson attack, which destroyed a Warring Street unit.
Police said two home-made Molotov cocktail bottles were thrown at the residence, which is located in a unit complex.
The fire-bombs smashed through the front windows, setting fire to the lounge room where a man was sitting on the couch inside.
A woman was also inside at the time, but she managed to escape along with the male occupant.
The home was engulfed in flames and Tasmania Fire Service was called about 10.30pm.
Tasmania Police is interviewing witnesses, including neighbours who saw the two offenders jumping a back fence to flee from the complex after the incident.
The first offender has been described as being of slim build, about 165 centimetres tall and wearing a bandana at the time.
The second offender was said to be of large build with a “weird” left ear and no hair on that side of his head.
Launceston CIB Detective Senior Sergeant John Parker said anyone with information was urged to contact police.
“This is a targeted arson attack directed at an occupant of the unit,”he said.
“It is a very serious matter … it wasn’t random.”
Detective Senior Sergeant Parker from Launceston CIB said police were following a specific line of inquiry but could not comment on why the residence may have come under fire.
“We are aware why they would have been targeted but we’re not prepared to disclose that at this point in time,” he said.
“We believe it was the male occupant that was targeted but we won’t be making any further comment on that.”
The community housing unit was destroyed as a result of the fire, with the damage bill estimated at between $100,000 to $150,000.
Anyone with information relating to the attack, or who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the Warring Street area on Wednesday night should contact police on 131 444.
Crime Stoppers can be contacted anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au.