A HOME was severely damaged by fire following a suspected arson attack.

Fire crews were called to Rawsthorne Street, Halliwell, at 7am yesterday after a woman in the neighbouring house dialled 999.

Tenant Tracey Ashton, who leases the house from Contour Housing, was not in at the time. The front windows were already boarded up but the back windows were open.

Watch Manager Kevin O'Connor, of Bolton Central Fire Station, said the fire started on a couch below the stairs. "We are not writing off a deliberate fire at this time," he said.