AN investigation has been launched after a house in Radcliffe was damaged in a fire this afternoon.

Firefighters were called to Hawthorn Avenue just after 12.40pm when neighbours saw smoke coming from the bedroom window of a family home.

Crews from Farnworth and Whitefield broke down the door to get in to the house and tackled the blaze, which is believed to have started in the kitchen, for 45 minutes.

The property is home to a 30-year-old man, a 31-year-old woman and their six children.

Nobody was in at the time but the man arrived back during the incident.

Whitefield watch manager Tim Eaton said the father was worried his 13-year-old son could have been at home but crews searched the property and found no one inside.

He added: “He normally comes home for dinner and his father was panicked. Police and ambulance arrived but there was no one in - which was good.

“The fire was in the kitchen and the house was heavily smoke-logged. We gained entry by the front door.

“The kitchen has been damaged by fire, heat and smoke and the living room has heat and smoke damage. The upstairs is also heavily smoke-logged.

“We came away at 4pm but the cause is still being investigated and the fire investigation team are still on the scene.”

Police confirmed they were supporting the fire service in the investigation.