Mother and child escape after night-time arson attack in Rochdale
Police appeal for CCTV and vehicle inquiries after flames spread from a car to a home on Cleggswood Avenue
An arson attack on a home in Littleborough, Rochdale, forced a mother and her young child to flee a night-time blaze as a car alarm sounded on the driveway. Greater Manchester Police said the car was set alight on the driveway of a property on Cleggswood Avenue just after 01:15 BST on Saturday, 6 September, with flames spreading to the front door.
Emergency services said the occupants escaped uninjured with their pets. A 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of stalking and conspiracy to commit arson and has since been released on bail for further investigation. Police have issued a fresh appeal and released CCTV images of a car believed to be linked to the incident; detectives want to trace the driver or owner.
Detectives believe the offender travelled by car from Hollingworth Road direction and left the same way. "This was a terrifying and deliberate attack that could have ended in tragedy," said Det Con Mel Jeffery. "The trauma they've experienced is unimaginable. They are safe, but shaken and deeply affected by what happened." Investigators are asking residents with CCTV or dashboard-camera footage in the area at the time to review their footage.
The investigation continues as police seek further information about the car involved and its occupants. Detectives believe the offender may have used a route from Hollingworth Road and could be seeking other witnesses who saw a vehicle in the area around the early hours of 6 September.