FIREFIGHTERS were called to a home in Leigh after a "vulnerable" woman started a fire in her flat.

Crews were called to the blaze in a second floor flat in Lord Street at about 2pm this afternoon.

The woman who lived in the flat had got herself out of the building by the time firefighters arrived to put out the blaze.

She was given first aid by firefighters and paramedics, but did not suffer any serious injuries.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed investigators were treating the blaze as a deliberate ignition.

It is understood there was no one else involved in starting the fire other than the woman, who was described as "vulnerable".

The spokesman added: “Fire investigation are working with Greater Manchester Police to establish the cause of the fire.”