A 79-year-old man used a hosereel to fight flames after an arson attack at his home.

Richard Slater and his wife, Elsie were watching television at home in Partridge Walk, Burnley, at about 10.15pm last night when the smoke detector went off.

Mr Slater said: "The front door was on fire with flames and smoke everywhere. I keep a hose reel in the back room. I dashed for that, attached to the tap and aimed it at the door. I hate to think what might have happened had we been in bed."

Police and fire officers say the couple's lives were put at risk in the arson attack on three houses in the Barclay Hills estate. A flammable liquid was poured on to the front doors of the couple's home and at two empty houses in nearby Goldfinch Green.

Sub-officer Peter Kelly said: "The couple leave their lights on day and night so that people know there is someone in. Many of the houses up there are empty awaiting demolition or modernisation and there has been a history of fires and vandalism. "If they had been in bed and there had been no smoke alarm they would certainly have been in considerable danger and it could have been a very different story this morning.

"Obviously whoever started these fires does not seem to care less whether the houses were occupied or not."

All three fires happened at the same time at about 10.20pm.

The front doors, hallway and stairs of the houses in Goldfinch Green were extensively damaged by fire.

Police Sgt Mick Heyworth said there was a history of vandalism on the estate.

Elsie added: "We have had trouble for months with vandals ever since they started pulling the houses down. We are waiting to be rehoused."

Det Sgt Tony Ronan said: "We are appealing for anyone with information about this incident to get in touch on 01282 425001. The circumstances speak for themselves. These people were certainly put at risk and we need to catch the people responsible."

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