A VAN is believed to have been deliberately set on fire in the early hours of this morning.

Bury fire fighters attended the blaze in Starling Road at the junction of Cocky Moor Road at 1am.

The window of a white Ford Transit had been smashed and an ‘accelerant’ used to set the compartment alight.

Crews had to use breathing apparatus and cutting equipment to get into the back of the van where the fire was spreading to electrical equipment stored inside.

Steve Wilcock, watch manager at Bury fire station, said: “It was parked outside the owner’s house who had friends over and they heard the pop and a bang.

“The owner managed to put out some of the fire by putting water through the window but there were still flames and smoke when we got there.

“Someone walking past smashed the window of the Transit van and used an accelerant to get the fire going in the passenger’s compartment.

“To get a fire going that quickly I think someone must have poured something into the van.”

Fire crews were on the scene for an hour to put out the fire and make the area safe.