House blaze arson probe

POLICE are investigating after arsonists struck at an unoccupied terrace house in Failsworth.

Firecrews from Hollins and Chadderton spent an hour and a half bringing the blaze under control after a bed in the front bedroom was set alight in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Residents, whose cars were left coated in soot, spoke of their shock following the incident at around 3am.

One witness said: “I arrived home at around 3am and everything was fine.

“Minutes later I heard a loud pop and went to the front window to see the bedroom of the house burning.

“One of my neighbours had phoned the emergency services and within minutes the fire brigade had arrived and everyone was out on the street.

“One of the firemen said that if the fire had reached the attic of the house it could have swept though the whole street.

“I can’t believe somebody would put people’s lives at risk in this way.”

The home is a private rental property, which was last occupied by a couple who had recently left.

Another John Street resident said: “Whoever did that is just evil.”