POLICE are investigating a suspected arson attack on a house in Sharples where petrol was poured through the letterbox.

The blaze happened at an end-terrace house in Wilkinson Road, near Oldhams Primary School, at around midnight on Friday.

Firefighters believe arsonists set light to the petrol, causing extensive damage to the front door, hall and landing.

However, further damage was prevented because the doors to other rooms were closed.

The occupier of the house, a 45-year-old man, was out at the time of the fire and only discovered the blaze after he arrived home in a taxi at about 2am, following a night out. He was taken to a relative’s house.

Firefighters said the man was concerned about his pets, including a dog, that were still inside the house, but none of the animals were hurt in the fire.

Paul Norris, watch commander at Bolton North fire station, said: “When we arrived on the scene, the front door had been burnt out and the window and letterbox had been blown out.

“We searched the house for people because we could see there were lights on in the house and the upstairs curtains were drawn, so we thought someone was inside.

“It appears that petrol had been poured through the letterbox.”

Two pumps from Bolton Central and one pump from Bolton North were on the scene for two-and-a-half hours.

A police spokesman said officers had been to the scene and the fire was under investigation.