A PORSCHE car was destroyed after a street was targeted in a spate of arson attacks.

Firefighters were called to Cope Bank East in Bolton at around 10pm on Saturday.

A van, garage and the Porsche were all set alight, in what the fire service have described as a “malicious” attack.

Video by Lee Whelan

Sally McEntee rang 999 after her and her husband saw the fires.

She said: “We heard this big pop and bang and I thought it was something in the house.

“All the neighbours were out in the street.

“It is awful.

“We have lived here 12 years and never had a problem apart from recently.

“We have had our garage broken in to four times in the past 12 months.”

Martin Booth, who lives in Captains Clough, was keeping his Porsche Boxster at his father’s house to do modification work to it.

He said he is “devastated” it has been destroyed.

The 36-year-old added: “My dad went to the bathroom and saw the light of the flames from the window and rang me.

“I am devastated.

“It wasn’t insured as I was doing repair work on it before I started driving it.

“I had got a personal loan out to get it, as it had always been something I wanted to buy as a bit of an investment really, because they don’t depreciate in value that much.

“So when it became affordable with the loan, I thought why not, you only live once.”

Mr Booth, who is a father-of one, bought the vintage Porsche a year-ago for £6,000 and he had planned to pass it down to his son when he was older.

The fire also spread to the side of his father’s home, melting a down spout and TV aerial.

Mr Booth added: “If my dad hadn’t seen the fire and got himself and my brother out, it could have spread into the house and potentially killed someone.”

Ian Reid, watch manager at Bolton Central Fire Station, said the attacks were “horrific”.

He added: “The Porsche was the owner’s pride and joy and was destroyed.

“It is horrific.

“Someone has maliciously set fire to people’s things.

“We are all in the grip of austerity and are all working hard to live.

“There is no regard for anyone’s property or life.”

Mr Reid confirmed that a man had been arrested for the incidents. He added: “We are working tirelessly to help with police. We spoke with residents and managed to get some CCTV which helped to catch this person which is vital.”

Police were unavailable for comment.