'Flames were as high as the house': Family petrified as firework launched by yobs sets garden on fire

A Bolton resident has described the moment his home burst into flames after youths hurled fireworks into his back garden with his family still inside.

Police were called to Whittle Grove following reports of a fire and anti-social behaviour on Saturday evening (October 19). Fire and rescue services also descended on the scene where they found a large blaze beginning to spread.

Thankfully nobody was hurt, but a resident, who asked not to be named, said their family had been left petrified by the incident. He told the M.E.N.: "I was watching telly in the living room and one of our neighbours came banging on our door..

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"He said your back garden's on fire. I turned around barefoot and ran to the back, the flames were as high as the house. I got a hosepipe and started hosing the fire before the fire brigade got there. It was like an inferno, our next door neighbour's garden went up as well.

"It's outrageous what an accident can cause. I was sat there watching Saturday night telly with a beer. It was scary, and we shouldn't have to live like that."

Through speaking to his neighbours and collecting doorbell footage, the man said was able to piece together what happened before, during and after the fire. He since edited the footage together and posted a video on social media in a bid to show the dangers of handling fireworks unsafely.

In the video, a group of youths can be seen making their way through the neighbourhood just off Chorley Old Road. At one point they can be seen lighting up a fireworks amongst themselves.

Soon after, a bang can be heard and seen from a doorbell camera adjacent the affected house. The clip then cuts to the ferocious fire beginning to spread, before it cuts to neighbours hailing the fire brigade and pointing them to the home on Whittle Grove.

Speaking about his reasons for publishing the video, the poster told the MEN: "I'm frustrated now because my family is petrified. I don't want to do anything to the children I just want to make them aware how dangerous it is with Halloween and bonfire night around the corner.

"I want to spread a message to other teenagers, or adults who mess about with fireworks to be a bit safer."

A spokesperson for GMP said: "At around 8.15pm on 19 October, we responded to reports of anti-social behaviour and a fire on Whittle Grove, Bolton. Thankfully, no-one was hurt during the incident.

"If anyone has any information, please contact 101, quoting log 3096 of 19/10/24."

For more info, ahead of Bonfire Night and Halloween, GMP is supporting GMFRS’ Bang Out Of Order Campaign, more information can be found here.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has been contacted for comment.