THREE cars belonging to the same family were set alight in a suspected arson attack in the early hours.

The family arrived home from a night out to find their vehicles were on fire.

Emergency services were called to cottages off Manchester Road in Blackrod at around 2.45am.

Crews from Bolton Central Fire Station attended and quickly asked for another fire engine as the blaze engulfed the cars.

Police were also alerted.

The blaze destroyed a Nissan Note, Citroen C3 and Honda Civic.

Crews were on the scene for just under an hour.

Watch Manager Ian Read said the blaze was being treated as arson.

He said: The family had been out and as they drove back in a taxi they saw the cars on fire they were devastated.

"All the cars have been destroyed in the arson attack.

"The heat from the fire also damaged the camper van which was parked there.

"The police are investigating."