THREE adults and two children narrowly escaped from a car after it burst into flames while driving in Great Lever.

A 38-year-old man, two women in their 30s, and two children, aged eight and 10, were driving along Green Lane in the silver Citroen when it began to smoke.

The man pulled over after hearing other drivers beeping their horns and gesturing at his car.

Realising something was wrong, he managed to pull over and get everyone out of the car before it was engulfed in flames.

Firefighters from Farnworth were called to the incident in Boscobel Road, off Green Lane, at about 3.45pm today.

The man was treated for breathing smoke.

Robert Smith, who lives in nearby St Michael's Avenue, said: "It was just sat their on its own in the old bus terminus and it just burst into flames.

"I couldn't believe it when I saw the car — it was totally burnt out. Everybody came out of their houses to see it.

"The fire brigade have been and an ambulance. A man loooked like he was being treated but I didn't recognise him.”

Watch manager Tony McKenna, from Farnworth fire station, said: "It was lucky the driver had the presence of mind to pull over safely in the way he did."

Police were also called to investigate the incident at about 3.50pm after reports that the fire was started deliberately, but spokesman said cause of the fire was thought to be an electrical fault.