A TERRIFED family were evacuated from their home after a car burst into flames and the blaze threatened to spread.

Firefighters were called to Newport Street in Farnworth, just before 1am yesterday after a Fiat 500 caught fire in a suspected arson attack.

The shocked family were unaware the car, which was parked in a ginnel at the side of the house, was on fire until they were alerted by frantic neighbours.

The vehicle belonged to Kirsten Greenhalgh, who lives at the address with nine-year-old daughter Arrianna Marsh and parents John and Lesley Greenhalgh. Miss Greenhalgh said: “The neighbours were screaming, saying to get out it was going to blow. It was so close to the side of the house. We were in shock because we had been woken up.”

Their panic was heightened further as the flames were scorching the walls of Arrianna’s bedroom while she slept.

Miss Greenhalgh added: “Her bedroom is right next to where the fire was and at that time the smoke was going into her bedroom. We had to drag her out of bed.”

Firefighters kept the family out of the house for around 20 minutes while they put the fire out, as the building was in danger of catching light.

Mrs Greenhalgh said it was fortunate the blaze did not have more serious consequences.

She said: “We were lucky the petrol tank was at the back of the car. Just as we got outside there was as almighty bang. There’s nothing left on that side of the car.

“We’re so pleased the fire service got here so quickly, if not for them it would have been so much worse.”

The 55-year-old grandmother said she had ‘no idea’ why someone might want to target her family, She said “I’ve not got a clue, that’s what we’re trying to find out.

“I think of the devastation that could have been caused if that petrol tank had gone up.”

Anyone with information should call Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.