A FAMILY had a narrow escape after a suspected arson attack in which a blazing car was moved near their home.

A man and four children escaped unhurt from the house in Lancaster Drive, Hapton, after the family's D-reg Ford Escort estate car burst into flames in the driveway.

The fire gutted the vehicle and sent clouds of black smoke into the house.

Firemen checked the home to make sure everyone was safe. The heat from the blaze melted the guttering and damaged a neighbour's conservatory.

Padiham firefighter Nick Sutcliffe said it appeared the car had been moved towards the house before being set on fire. He said the fire brigade were treating the incident as an arson attack.

"The car was up against the wall of the house and had been set on fire," he said. "The flames were everywhere. A couple of minutes longer and it would have taken two houses up."

Police were called to the scene and officers made an extensive search of the area.

Acting inspector Phil Cottam said it was being treated as a suspicious incident rather than arson.

"The car is due to be examined and investigations are continuing today," he said.

The police are looking for a 30-year-old local man in connection with the incident.

A woman at the house todaydeclined to comment.

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