'Lads in hoods' seen smashing window and squirting liquid inside bungalow before it bursts into flames (original) (raw)
Anybody with CCTV footage of the Bolton incident has been asked to contact police
Three 'lads in hoods' were seen smashing a window and squirting a liquid inside before a bungalow fire in Bolton. Emergency services were called to Corrie Crescent in Bolton on Monday evening (June 1).
A window of a bungalow on Corrie Crescent, Kearsley, had a hole in it following before a blaze erupted at the property. No injuries have been reported and no arrests have been made. Police have called for anybody with information to come forward.
Witnesses reported hearing a 'smash' sound at around 11.30pm before seeing a group of people wearing hoods. Flames then 'erupted' from inside the house.
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Pictures from the scene on Tuesday (June 2) showed a fire engine still in attendance following the incident. The front window of a property was also visibly smashed.
A neighbour who called the fire service to the scene told the M.E.N: "We were getting ready for bed when we heard a smash, looked out the window and saw three lads in hoods.
“One was stood on the pavement and the other two were on the drive. They were squirting something at the window, I think it was some sort of accelerant. They didn’t say anything, just smashed the window and made off.
“Me and another neighbour called the fire brigade and they came around 11.30pm. It took them a while to smash the door, so they must have a good door. But when they got in, flames erupted from inside the house.
“Nobody was in the house at the time. We’ve never seen anything like this.”
A spokesperson for GMP said: "At around 11.30pm on Monday 1 June 2026, we were called to a domestic fire at an address on Corrie Crescent in Bolton.
"Officers attended the scene along with colleagues from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported. No arrests have been made, and investigations are ongoing.
"We are looking to speak to witnesses who may have seen or heard anything around the Corrie Crescent area at the time the incident took place.
"This also includes any relevant CCTV or doorbell footage.
"Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 or gmp.police.uk, and quoting log number 3972 of 01/06/2026. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."
