A MAN has been arrested after a "targeted" arson attack in Tonge Moor – the second on the same street this month.

In the latest attack, the door of a home in Eldon Street was set on fire in the early hours of yesterday morning.

And earlier this month, another house in the same street was also set on fire in similar circumstances.

The Bolton News understands the same man was arrested in connection with both attacks.

He had been bailed after being arrested in connection with the first attack.

In yesterday's incident, a couple were woken up by their smoke alarm going off at about 3.20am to find their front door was on fire.

They managed to escape from the back door uninjured.

Police and firefighters are now investigating how the fire was started.

A 27-year-old man has now been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, and is in police custody.

He had earlier been arrested in connection with another attack that happened in the same street on March 2.

Some time before 3.55am, a couple in their 80s were awoken by their smoke alarm and got out of bed to find the living room full of smoke.

Their neighbours, who heard them banging on the internal wall, helped rescue them and they were taken to Royal Bolton Hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.

The couple are now safe and well and are being cared for by family members.

Speaking about the latest incident, Det Insp Denise Pye, of Bolton CID, said: “Thankfully the couple who were in the house when the fire was started were able to escape the property unharmed, but understandably they are very shook up.

“We understand that there may be some anxiety surrounding the circumstances to these fires but I would like to reassure the community that we are doing everything that we can to prevent any further incidents like this.

“If anybody has any information at all then I would like to urge them to please contact the police.”

A police spokesman added that they believed the latest attack was "targeted".

He said: "Officers investigating the incident believe this to be linked to an arson attack on the same street last week."

Firefighters are now offering free home safety checks to anyone who lives in Eldon Street or nearby and anyone who is concerned about safety.

The home targeted yesterday morning recently underwent one of these checks, and firefighters said the alarm that was installed then could have saved their lives..

Anybody with information can call police on 0161 8565761 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.