AN outbuilding is believed to have been deliberately set alight, firefighters say.

Police are now investigating the blaze in Constance Road.

Karsten Boyle, watch manager at Bolton Central Fire Station, said: "We were called out at 2.30 on Tuesday morning after a bang woke a neighbour in an adjoining property.

"The house in question was empty but the outbuilding, which contained building materials, was well alight."

Two pumps from Bolton Central, and a pump from Farnworth spent two hours at the scene.

Mr Boyle said: "The outbuilding was attached to the house and, because of this, the house and those on either side suffered some heat damage.

"The fire had clearly been deliberately started and police are investigating."