TWO men had to flee their home this morning after arsonists targeted the property by torching the front door, a window and a nearby car.

Fire crews and police are now investigating the blaze at a terrace house in Countess Street, Accrington, which started at around 1am.

Crew manager Steve Morley said that the occupants of the house, two men, were able to escape when the fire started.

But he said a probe has now been launched after it was discovered that there were ‘multiple seats of fire’ at the scene.

A red Mazda Demio estate car was badly damaged in the blaze but fire crews were able to put out the fire before it spread to the inside of the house.

The interior was badly smoke-damaged and the car was taken away for examination.

One neighbour said they had been woken by the sound of the car burning.

Nasrullah Shah said: “There have been some problems on the street and there are two CCTV cameras outside the house.

"It was a bit of a shock really. It was a big fire.”

Police are now looking into why the property was targeted.

Detective Inspector Mark Vaughton from Accrington CID said: “The fire is being investigated as an arson attack and a car and house were damaged in the incident.

"Extensive damage was caused to the car along with the front door and front downstairs window of the house.”

Witnesses can contact police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.