AN arson investigation is underway after a house was set on fire.

Police and the firefighters were sent to Hope Carr Road in Leigh after reports three men hurled a hammer through the window of a property before throwing bottles of ignited petrol inside.

No-one was inside the house and fire crews managed to extinguish the blaze.

The incident happened on Saturday at around 9am

Around an hour earlier, a red or burgundy Ford KA was spotted on Hope Carr Road with police looking to track the vehicle.

Detective Constable Chris Waddicar, from GMP’s Wigan borough, said: “This was a brazen attack on a residential street in the morning so we are hopeful that people will have seen something that can help our investigation.

“Fires can have devastating consequences and thankfully no one was in the property at the time, but we could have easily been dealing with more tragic outcome

“I am hoping that someone will be able to help us identify the three men that witnesses saw.

“We are treating this as a targeted attack and we have had no reports of a similar nature in the area.

“We are also really keen to hear from anyone who saw the red car or may know who the occupants were.

“Anyone with even the smallest bit of information should come forward, as that information may be vital to our investigation.”

If you have any information contact the police on 0161 856 7292, 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.