A HOUSE has been destroyed in a suspected arson attack in Starling.

Fire crews believe squatters may have set fire to cylinders of propane gas, which led to the blaze.

Crews from Bolton, Bolton north, Whitefield, Bury and Blackley were called at 10.40pm to a large semi-detached bungalow in Cockey Moor Road.

Firefighters spent four hours tackling the fire and stripping the roof off before it was fully extinguished by 2.30am.

Watch manager Ian Reid, from Bolton north fire station, said firefighters' lives were put at serious risk because of the gas.

He said: “There was a plastic bucket of diesel and about three or four cylinders of propane gas and BBQ gas which we believe had been deliberately left and set on fire inside the bungalow.

“It’s pretty horrific that things like this are happening in this day and age.

“When we turned up we were told there had been squatters in there.”

Bury Council granted a planning application, submitted by Saeed Postchi on June 3, giving the green light to demolish the building.

Flora Hardman, a neighbour who was woken by the fire during the night said: “It is worrying living by an empty house when people are wandering in and out.

“I have been woken up in the past by police officers shining their torches around the property.

“It’s so disappointing that this has happened and it was really frightening last night – I could feel the heat from standing at my front door.”

Mrs Hardman was alone when the fire took place as her husband Paul, was working away.

“It was only two years ago there was a big kitchen fire and my husband and I rescued a man inside, the house was left after that and has been vacant since,” she added.

“They have just had an application passed in the last week to have the house demolished.”

No one was injured in the fire and the bungalow was believed to be empty when the fire started.

Police and the fire service are now investigating the cause of the blaze and crews are still at the scene.