A HOODED man on a mountain bike poured petrol on to a car before setting it on fire outside a house in Farnworth.

Firefighters were called to Greenfold Avenue shortly after 5am this morning to reports of the man pouring petrol on to the windscreen of a BMW 3 series windshield before setting it alight.

A passerby attempted to put out the blaze, before crews arrived minutes later.

Due to firefighters’ quick response, the car did not sustain any major damage.

Police also attended the scene.

Residents told firefighters that there had been a number of similar incidents in the area recently.

Neil Hill, crew manager at Farnworth Fire Station, said: “Luckily, we got there quickly. 

“There is damage to the car; it needs a new windscreen, but it was not completely burnt out because of how quickly we got there.”