An arsonist who set fire to two buildings in the space of an hour on Sunday morning is being hunted by Greater Manchester Police.
The first blaze occurred at 4am on Dunscombe Street in Higher Broughton where the occupants, including a 10-day-old baby, were able to escape when they were awoken by the family dog.
A following incident occurred on Great Cheetham Street East where a fire was lit in the stairwell of a small block of flats.
The three adults and five children at the first house were able to exit through the back door and move to the front of the house, where they spotted a man observing from nearby before fleeing the scene.
No one was seen at the second location, but all of the occupants were also able to escape unharmed after they were alerted to the fire by a loud bang.
Detective Sergeant Julie Connor from Salford CID at Pendleton said: “These attacks were potentially lethal and had it not been for each set of residents being alerted to noises, there could have been extremely tragic consequences.
“We could easily have been dealing with a large number of deaths and the way this offender or offenders have intentionally targeted two residential properties makes them exceptionally dangerous.”
The suspect is described as having a slim build, bushy eyebrows and was wearing a black scarf and a black hoody which he wore up.
DS Julie Connor said: “For that reason, whoever is responsible needs to be apprehended as soon as possible and I urge anyone with information to contact police.
“We are also urging people to check that they have a working smoke alarm and if they need any advice or a free home safety visit they should contact GM Fire Service on 0800 555 815.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 5351 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Image courtesy of Google Maps, with thanks.
