WATCH: Police release CCTV footage of suspects following spate of early morning arson attacks in Urmston

At around 5am on Saturday February 13, police were called following reports that a property on Ashley Avenue, Urmston, was on fire.

It was discovered that a blue waste paper bin had been torched in an arson attack, and the blaze spread to a nearby garage and then the house itself.

The fire caused significant damage, writing off a Reliant Robin car and damaging the house and garage.

After launching an investigation into the arson attack, police obtained CCTV footage from a neighbouring address.

The footage showed two men walking up the driveway shortly before the wheelie bin is set on fire.  They are seen a short time later walking quickly away, then breaking into a sprint further down the road.

Several other properties in the area were subjected to arson attacks the same morning, and officers are linking the spate of incidents together.

Detective Constable Simon Johnson said: “We are taking this arson attack very seriously indeed, as only fortune has prevented injury or loss of life.

“Setting fire to wheelie bins might not appear to be the worst crime in the world, but make no mistake these arson attacks can have serious consequences.

“We could quite easily have been dealing with numerous fatalities.

“The CCTV reveals that we are looking for two men in connection with these attacks, and we desperately need anyone who may have witnessed them in the area at the time to contact us.

“Alternatively, if you believe you recognise these men, please do not hesitate to call police.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 7525 quoting incident number 130216/0474 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.