A MOTHER and her two daughters were lucky to escape with their lives when a car blaze spread to the house they had moved into that day.

The car fire is believed to have been started by a mystery man, who police were looking for today.

Tracie McEllin had moved to the terraced council house in Alston Street, Great Lever, with daughters Chloe and Samantha yesterday morning.

Fire crews from Bolton were called to the house at 10.15pm last night after a fire from a Ford Escort outside spread towards the house.

Miss McEllin dialled 999 after seeing a man set the car alight.

The 26-year-old single mother raced upstairs to get her two daughters, aged three and nine, but they became trapped as the fire quickly spread along the front of the house and the front room filled with thick smoke.

Miss McEllin had to cover herself with a blanket and run into the front room to get the back door keys but as she headed for the door the car exploded sending glass flying through the house and throwing three-year-old Chloe across the kitchen.

The family spent the night at a friend's house and have no idea when they can return to their new home.

Miss McEllin, who is unemployed and had moved from Astley Bridge, said: "I've spent the whole night in tears. I really can not believe this has happened to us, coming here was supposed to be a fresh start."

Bolton Central station officer Dave Pimblett said: "The fire had spread to the front door of the house, which was destroyed, and also cracked the front window and caused smoke damage to the ground floor.

Police are investigating and anyone with information should ring 0161 872 5050.