A SCENE of devastation confronted a Bury family who returned early from holiday following a suspected arson attack at their Walmersley home.

Firemen rushed to the council property on Palatine Drive at about 9.30am on Wednesday and found flames blazing in three separate rooms.

Mr Mark Cullen and his wife Annette (both 33) learned of the fire at about 8.30pm the same evening.

The couple and their three children Lee (12), Andrew (11) and Victoria (8), sped back from their Fleetwood retreat to find their home ruined.

Irreplaceable framed photographs of the children were found strewn in the back garden, burnt around the edges.

Most valuables in the house remained exactly where they were, the family are not covered by contents insurance.

It is understood that the fires were started deliberately in a downstairs toilet at the rear of the kitchen area, in the couple's bedroom and in the boys' bedroom.

School uniforms and bedding seem to have been set alight on purpose.

The couple had moved back to Bury in February after the children failed to settle in Essex where Mr Cullen had secured a teaching post.

Housewife Mrs Cullen, who was understandably distressed when the Bury Times spoke to her yesterday, said: "This was a vicious attack, we will have to replace everything.

"But some things money just can't buy. The people that did this must be very sick."

Mr Cullen said: "We've spent thousands and were just starting to get things together. Now we will have to start all over again."

Detectives are appealing for any witnesses to the incident, or anyone with any information, to contact (0161) 856 8157.

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