Shocking footage shows moment arsonist torches car in Oldham street

This is the shocking moment a suspected arsonist torches a car on a street in Oldham. A person was caught on CCTV pouring liquid onto the vehicle moments before it burst into flames.

Firefighters and police were scrambled to Raleigh Close in the Coldhurst area of the town at about 5am on Monday (May 9). Footage shared on the Spotted: Oldham Facebook page appears to show a person walking towards a row of parked cars while holding a container.

They can then be seen pouring liquid over the car's roof before reaching inside their pocket. The vehicle then dramatically bursts into flames.

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A huge cloud of smoke can be seen billowing from the burning car as the person appears to flee the scene. A total of four cars were damaged in the blaze, which police say they are treating as arson.

One woman, who lives on the street, said she heard a 'big explosion' and looked out of her window to discover the car engulfed in flames. “It was very very loud," she said.

"We don’t know whose car it was. I’ve never seen it there before.

"The car that was parked in front of the burned car, all the back is burned. The car on the other side of it was completely destroyed, it was on fire as well.

“The one on the other side of the road had damage to it as well. I have never heard of an arson attack in this area before.

"It was frightening, especially because the fire was blowing so close to the flats. There are children living in the flats, it's dangerous."

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police confirmed that an investigation was underway. They added: "Shortly after 5.35am on Monday 9 May to a report of a car being ignited on Anchor Street,