NEIGHBOURS of a Horwich man whose house caught fire last night said they were "ready to kick the door in" when they thought he was still home.

The blaze ripped through the ground floor before firefighters were called out to the Webb Street property at about 7.30pm to find a "well-developed" blaze that had engulfed the front of the terrace house.

People who lived on the road had gathered outside the property but later found out that the man had gone out to the shops when the fire began.

One neighbour, Steve Hall, said: "We didn't know if he was in or not so we were ready to kick the door in. It's a good thing we didn't because when the firefighters came and the water touched the front window they just exploded outwards."

Declan Warburton, who lives with Jade Smethurst in the house next door to the fire, said: "We were in the front room and we heard someone banging at the door. I ran upstairs to get a t-shirt but we could hear them shouting for us to get out.

"When we saw the fire the front window was completely black and we could see flames inside. We had been banging on the door to make sure nobody was in but he came back later."

Fire engines from both Bolton Central and Horwich fire stations attended the scene alongside police and ambulance officers, but nobody was hurt in the incident.

Firefighters had to wear breathing apparatus to tackling the blaze but were able to stop it from escalating.

Tony McKenna, watch manager for Bolton Central, said the building had undergone "extensive damage".

He explained that fire crews believe the blaze was started by an electrical fault, but that investigations are ongoing.

He added: "We will be offering free smoke alarm fittings to people living in houses in that street. But, in the meantime, anyone can call us and get a free alarm fitted."

To get in contact with Bolton's fire service for advice or a free smoke alarm fitting, call 0800 555815.