THIEVES smashed a stolen car into a telephone fuse box before setting the vehicle alight.
The Vauxhall Nova crashed into the green box in Kenyon Way, Little Hulton, at 3.15am on Sunday.
Firefighters from Farnworth were called out after it burst into flames.
The blaze spread to the fuse box and the fire brigade called out an electrician to repair it and restore phone supplies to nearby houses, which were disrupted for several hours.
Fire crews from Farnworth were also called out to two other car fires on Saturday night at Quarry Pond in Little Hulton and Brook Drive in Radcliffe. They attended a further five car fires on Friday night.
Leading firefighter Terry Hand said: "Driving into a fuse box was extremely dangerous and it is fortunate that the consequences were not more serious.
"We are working with the police to try to stop these car fires which obviously tie us up when we might be needed on other important jobs."
Anyone with information about the fires should ring police on 0161 872 5050.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article