A FATHER has spoken of his horror after waking up to find his car on fire and the flames spreading to his house.

Ian Rushworth, 51, described how he ran into the street in his underwear following the arson attack before going into 'survival mode'.

He ran back into to his bungalow to wake his family and make sure they got out.

Detectives have released dramatic CCTV footage of the car being torched by two hooded people who are then seen to run from the scene.

Police said they are linking yesterday's arson attack on the blue Vauxhall Mokka Motability car in Walter Street, Brierfield, to a hit-and-run incident when the car struck on Good Friday.

Father-of-two Mr Rushworth said: "I am so glad I woke up. It was just a sixth sense that something was wrong.

"I looked out of the window and saw flames in the reflection

"I went out into the road in my underwear and saw the fire.

"Fortunately we have a fire door between the garage and the house so the fire didn't get into the main building.

"I just ran back inside and woke everybody up. I just kicked into survival mode. My only concern was getting everybody out.

"The bungalow filled up with smoke really quickly so there wasn't much time to think.

"Everyone just grabbed shoes and clothes and tried to make sure the cats and dogs got out.

"I just ran and warned the neighbours about what was going on and made sure they got out and waited for the fire service."

The latest incident happened at 3am when two people poured accelerant on the Vauxhall which was parked outside the bungalow.

They then set the vehicle alight, before running off from the area along the side of Walter Street Primary School.

The blaze spread to the house causing damage to its side and the garage.

Mr Rushworth said the house was severely smoke damaged and the family had also lost clothes and food stored in the garage.

The mobility car, which is a life-line for Mr Rushworth's disabled partner Nicola Heasman, 48, was also completely burnt out.

Detectives are investigating whether it is linked to the crash at around 2pm on April 14 in Walter Street when a white 66 plate BMW M4 hit the Mokka, forcing it into the garage. before driving from the scene.

Mr Rushworth, whose two teenage sons were in the house at the time of the fire, said they were looking to move from the property they have lived in for two years following the arson attack.

He said last year teenagers posted a lit firework through their letterbox but fortunately it did not land on anything flammable.

He added: "We feel very vulnerable where we are. We 're liaising with the Together Group and they're looking to get us re-homed as quickly as possible.

"I would say to whoever was responsible to think of the consequences of their actions.

"If I hadn't of woken up and raised the alarm then my family could have been killed."

No arrests have been made in connection with any of the incidents.

DC Mick Smith said: “This was a truly shocking incident and it is lucky that no-one was seriously hurt.

"Not only was the car extensively damaged, the gas inlet to the property was burnt through and we have been told that a serious gas explosion was only narrowly avoided.

"We are treating this very seriously and so I would urge anyone who may recognise these men or who know anything that may help us with our investigation to get in touch.”

Any information contact Burnley CID on 01282 471715 or 101 quoting incident reference 127 of April 20.