Hunt for arsonist who poured petrol through letterbox and torched block of flats

Police are treating a blaze at a block of flats in Bury as arson.

Emergency services rushed to Tennyson Avenue late last night (August 6) after a fire broke out in a first floor flat. Fortunately, the occupant managed to escape before firefighters arrived and no one was injured.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) believe that a person wearing all black poured petrol through the letterbox of a flat, before igniting it. A joint-investigation has now been launched, along with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS).

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A GMP spokesman said: "Police appeal for information following a suspected arson on Tennyson Avenue in Bury. At 11.17pm last night, police were called by fire service colleagues to a report of a suspicious fire at a block of flats on Tennyson Avenue, Bury.

"An investigation has been launched to locate the offender, who has been described as around 5ft tall and wearing a black jumper with a hood, black trousers and holding a petrol canister. It is believed that petrol was poured through a letterbox of a flat before being ignited. No one was injured in the incident."

Firefighters were in attendance for just under an hour-and-a-half. A GMFRS spokesman added: “At approximately 11.15pm on Saturday, 6 th August, firefighters were called to reports of a fire on Tennyson Avenue, in Bury.

"Fire engines from Bury, Whitefield and Broughton stations quickly attended the scene. The fire involved a first floor flat. One man self-rescued before firefighters arrived at the scene.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reels and other specialist equipment to extinguish the fire. Fire crews were in attendance for around one hour and 25 minutes.