A TEENAGE boy arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life following a blaze at a house on New Year's Eve has been released.

A police spokesman said the 16-year-old youth had been "bailed pending further enquiries and forensic examination".

Firefighters were called to Hazel Grove, in Radcliffe, twice on Sunday, December 31 after two separate fires broke out at the same house.

Couple Rob Jefferies, aged 40, and his wife Gill, aged 36, were hosting a New Year's Eve party for neighbours, friends and family at their home when the first fire started at 7pm.

The blaze was spotted by the couple's two sons Ryan, aged 11, and Reece, aged nine, who were playing upstairs.

The party was moved to a neighbouring house following the fire.

But just three hours after the first blaze, another fire broke out and was only spotted because Mr Jefferies, father of five, called home to collect something.

Police were called by firefighters following the second blaze at just after 10.30pm.

The fires gutted the upstairs of the house and the rest was badly damaged by smoke.

The blaze destroyed many of the family's Christmas presents and clothes.

The Jefferies' four young children - Ryan, Reece, Kayleigh, aged 13, and Chloe, aged seven - have moved in with the couple's eldest daughter Kirsty, aged 20.

A police spokesman said: "Police were called to a house on Hazel Grove in Radcliffe, Bury at 10.38pm on Sunday 31 December 2006 after reports of two separate fires.

"A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and has been bailed."