A SUMMERSEAT family have been left homeless after their bungalow was destroyed in one of two arson attacks in the village.

Their home in Cliff Avenue was gutted in a fierce blaze while another fire nearby wrecked a row of six garages and four vehicles.

Detectives say they cannot rule out the possibility of the arson attacks being linked.

Police say the bungalow blaze happened around 3.45am on Friday (May 25) and caused the family to flee for their lives.

These two serious incidents, together with previous similar attacks, have left villagers living in fear.

The outbreak at the bungalow started in a wooden-framed car port at the side of the house. Flames rapidly spread to the remainder of the property.

Two neighbouring houses were evacuated and all roads leading to the village were sealed off until late morning. Part of Cliff Avenue remained closed while firefighters stayed at the scene during most of Friday. The Robinson family, who are staying with neighbours, were too upset to discuss what had happened.

Around the same time as the bungalow blaze, firebugs targeted a row of six garages in nearby Waterside Road.

A Ramsbottom crew fought the outbreak which extensively damaged four cars and affected the gable end of an adjoining home.

In the aftermath of the fires, one villager told the Bury Times: "We are quite scared now. There have been a number of arson attacks in the village and we want to know what the police are doing."

Only last week a garage in Railway Street, Summerseat, and a truck on a car park in Rowlands Road were set on fire.

Commenting on Friday's arson attacks, Det Ch Insp Frank Raggett of Bury CID said: "We cannot discount the possibility of these two incidents being linked.

"We are treating these very seriously. The house fire could easily have resulted in a fatality.

"There have been a number of attacks in that area in the last couple of months, but as yet we have no suspects."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bury operational police unit on 856 8157.