A FAMILY has been left devastated after its £19,000 motorhome was destroyed in a suspected arson attack.

Forecrews were called to the blaze in Lower Rawson Street, Farnworth, at 4am yesterday.

Owner Gary Wood, a welder, aged 54, said: “My stepdaughter heard an alarm going off, then she thinks she heard somebody try and start the engine.

“She woke us up at about 4am and the neighbours called the fire brigade.

“I was absolutely shocked when I saw what had happened. The fire was so bad, it has cracked the bedroom window in our house.

“We were supposed to be going to our sister-in-law’s in Kidderminster for the weekend — instead I’ll have to get on the phone to the insurance company.”

The P-reg Fiat motorhome, which Mr Wood bought seven years ago contained five beds, a TV, a DVD player and a kitchen area.

Mr Wood’s stepdaughter Natalie Harrison, a hairdresser, aged 21, said: “I woke up at about 3.45am and it sounded as if somebody was trying to start the engine. I turned the light on and I could see flames in the bathroom window.

“It all happened so quick, it was such a shock. One minute the bonnet was on fire, the next minute the whole motorhome was up in flames. It could have been worse. The emergency services were great in how quick they came out to us.”

Amanda Wood, aged 50, added: “If it is arson, I can’t believe somebody could do something like this — it’s devastating, and it’s frightening. But all we can do at this time is stick together and be thankful it wasn’t worse.

“At least we’re alive and the damage wasn’t more serious.”

Police have launched an investigation into the attack.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “We were called by the fire service at 4.40am. We are treating it as suspicious.”

Fire Service watch manager John Duffin said: “We are treating this as a deliberate fire.

“We would urge people to be vigilant, make sure their cars are locked and for neighbours to look out for each other.”

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