This is the shocking moment a suspected arsonist torches a car on a street in Oldham. A person was caught on CCTV pouring liquid onto the vehicle moments before it burst into flames.
Firefighters and police were scrambled to Raleigh Close in the Coldhurst area of the town at about 5am on Monday (May 9). Footage shared on the Spotted: Oldham Facebook page appears to show a person walking towards a row of parked cars while holding a container.
They can then be seen pouring liquid over the car's roof before reaching inside their pocket. The vehicle then dramatically bursts into flames.
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A huge cloud of smoke can be seen billowing from the burning car as the person appears to flee the scene. A total of four cars were damaged in the blaze, which police say they are treating as arson.
One woman, who lives on the street, said she heard a 'big explosion' and looked out of her window to discover the car engulfed in flames. “It was very very loud," she said.
"We don’t know whose car it was. I’ve never seen it there before.
"The car that was parked in front of the burned car, all the back is burned. The car on the other side of it was completely destroyed, it was on fire as well.
“The one on the other side of the road had damage to it as well. I have never heard of an arson attack in this area before.
"It was frightening, especially because the fire was blowing so close to the flats. There are children living in the flats, it's dangerous."
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police confirmed that an investigation was underway. They added: "Shortly after 5.35am on Monday 9 May to a report of a car being ignited on Anchor Street, Oldham. A total of four cars were damaged by the fire and enquiries suggest the ignition was deliberate.
"No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing. Any information should be passed to us online via our LiveChat facility, if able, or by calling 101 quoting incident 517 of 09/05/2022. Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) added: “At around 5am on Monday, 9 May, we received reports of a fire involving three vehicles on Raleigh Close, Oldham.
“One fire engine from Oldham fire station was quickly mobilised to the scene, and firefighters used two hose reels, a breathing apparatus, and other specialist equipment to extinguish the flames and make the area safe. The crew spent an hour and a quarter in attendance.”
