A FAMILY who were forced to flee their home when a car was torched on a driveway have spoken of their 'panic'.

Flames from the burning Volkswagen Golf spread to two homes in Minehead Avenue, Burnley, causing extensive damage.

Police are treating the incident at 2.15am yesterday as an arson attack.

Nicola Leverett, 29, who lives with her daughter Ellie, nine, sister Michelle and her daughter Macy, seven, was woken by loud bangs outside her house.

The car was parked in her neighbour's driveway when it was set on fire.

Fire crews were called to tackle the blaze which had spread to a garage and the conservatory.

Nicola said: “The four of us managed to get out and call the fire service.

“There were flames up the side of the house and it’s melted the guttering and boiler vents.

"At first I thought it was fireworks but when I pulled the curtain back I just saw a huge orange glow.

I could see the garden fence and next door’s garage were well alight.

“I started to panic and I feared for my daughter Ellie, as her room was just above where the car was parked.

“The car was only about three feet from our wall and when I saw how alight it was I was terrified of the engine exploding."

Neighbours Alex and Jean Rooney were also forced to leave their home which suffered extensive damage.

Mr Rooney, 50, said: "I heard what must have been tyres exploding and ran downstairs and out of the front door.

“The car was on fire and the heat had exploded several windows in the conservatory.

“I’m just so thankful nobody has been injured. I can’t understand why anyone would do such a dangerous and stupid act.”

Burnley crew manager Lee Garnett said: “The police attended and seemed to think it was a suspicious and deliberate fire.

“I would really like to highlight the fact that whoever is doing this is endangering not only the occupiers’ lives, but also the neighbours’ lives.”

Mr Garnett said the fire started in the car and spread to the conservatory and garage of the first property.

He said: “It melted the side of the conservatory, the front of the garage door and a few extraction vents, as well as guttering and an outside light at the house next door.”

Police confirmed the incident was being treated as suspicious.