Pensioner trapped in blazing home

A 70-year-old woman became trapped inside her home after an arsonist started a fire at her front door.

A passing motorist stopped and alerted neighbours to the fire at Hazelbottom Road in Crumpsall in the early hours of Wednesday.

The group then tried to douse the flames with a hosepipe.

The blaze was eventually put out by the fire service, and the woman was taken to hospital suffering the effects of smoke inhalation.

Det Con Anthony Strong, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "We are currently reviewing CCTV footage of the incident but would like as much information as possible to catch the offender.

"This person must have no conscience or respect for human life if they are willing to set fire to an elderly woman's home as she slept in her bed.

"We would like to thank the people for their efforts which stopped the fire spreading but now we are determined to put the culprit behind bars."