AN empty house, used as a drugs den by local youths, was set on fire on Sunday night (Dec 16), sparking a gas alert.

Fire crews from Bury and Whitefield faced added danger after the arsonists turned on a gas main before fleeing the house in Bolton Street, Radcliffe.

As the house became flooded with gas a small rubbish fire raged in a first floor bedroom.

A fire brigade spokesman said: "The house and adjoining properties would have been wrecked if there was an explosion.

"The house is vacant but it is regularly used as a drugs den. We are treating this matter as malicious and the police have been notified."