FIREFIGHTERS say several blazes started in a disused Breightmet flat were created deliberately.

Crews were called to the home, in Toronto Road, at around 8.10pm to find three separate fires underway in two rooms.

The blazes were quickly brought under control before they could do any serious damage and nobody was hurt in the incident.

However, police have since launched an investigation into the cause of the fires.

Karsten Boyle, Bolton Central Fire Station watch manager, said: "It was a ground floor flat which had been unoccupied since October.

"The door for the flat had been left unsecured, it was closed but it wasn't locked. When we entered the property there were three different sites on fire. Two in the front room and one in the bedroom.

"In the front room there was a settee on fire and in the bedroom a pile of clothing burning."

Mr Boyle said the lock from the front door of the property had been removed at some point after the person to stay in the flat had left in October.

"Today we will be going to the neighbourhood and making sure residents have got working smoke alarms to reassure people," Mr Boyle added.

"If anyone needs an alarm we will fit them free of charge."