A COUPLE were forced to flee their home after their car was torched and flames spread to their house.

New driver Beatrice Mitchell and her partner Gary Atkinson had to escape their home in The Spinney, Burnley, via the back door as the fire took hold.

The blaze in the black Ford Ka spread to the front side of the house, cracked a window, damaged a porch roof, the front door, as well as scorching the lawn.

Police investigating yesterday’s 2.30am arson said they had linked it to a second incident on another vehicle a short distance away.

Just 30 minutes after the first attack, firefighters were called to Wellfield Drive, Burnley, after a silver Nissan Pulsar was torched.

Miss Mitchell, 21, who had only recently passed her driving test, said she was distraught.

The customer assistant said: “I just don’t know why this has happened to me. I woke up after hearing a strange noise outside.

“I haven’t lived in the area long and don’t know enough people to make enemies.

“The fire was rather big, it stopped us getting out the front door.

“We called the fire service and so did lots of our neighbours. I’m so upset because I use the car to go to work, go shopping, everything. I don’t know what I’m going to do.

“The firefighters and police were really quick to get here.”

After the second attack witnesses said they saw someone leaving Wellfield Drive on a bike.

Anne Bennett and her grandson, Kyle Bailey, were alerted to the fire when a stranger woke them knocking on the door.

Mr Bailey, 23, said as he went to see what was happening he noticed his grandmother’s car had been set on fire in the driveway and the person who had been knocking had disappeared.

Mrs Bennett, 62, said: “The banging was so loud it woke my neighbours up. We went downstairs and the person had gone, we think it was the person who set the car on fire who was banging.

“It’s so frustrating. I use the car for hospital appointments and to go shopping once a week.

“The fire service told us to stay inside and keep all windows and doors shut while they put the flames out.”

The boot of the car had been set alight and the fire melted the rear of the vehicle, as well as destroying the inside.

Mr Bailey said: “The tyres exploded and the rear brake light was thrown a few feet across the front garden.

“We were worried because it was so close to the house the fire could have spread. It’s such a quiet road, we haven’t seen anything like this before down here.”

A fire service spokesman said: “Two cars had been deliberately set on fire in The Spinney and then Wellfield Drive not long after each other.

“Both cars were damaged beyond repair and a house in Spinney Lane was damaged.”

A police spokesman said officers treating the fires as suspicious and were appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

He said: “A 26-year-old man from Burnley and a 33-year-old woman from Burnley have been arrested both on suspicion of criminal damage.

“They remain in police custody.”