Police are hunting a suspected arsonist who smashed the front window of a home with a brick, poured in petrol and set it alight while a family of four were inside.
The horrific attack on Bordale Avenue in Moston at around 8pm on Thursday night left the terraced property engulfed in flames within seconds.
Fortunately, a mum, dad and their children, a 15-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy, managed to flee minutes before it was too late.
Police and the fire service have now launched a major investigation to find those responsible.
A neighbour told the M.E.N how the family were left distraught after fleeing the terrifying blaze.
"I heard this 'pop, pop, pop' and looked out and the front of the house was engulfed," she told the M.E.N
"Dad and daughter and the youngest son had vacated the property.
"Mum was still in the kitchen unaware.
"I think she was cooking dinner and the others were just watching TV [when the fire started].
"Dad ran back in to get her and thankfully they all got out ok.
"It went up in pretty much ten minutes.
"Next door's porch caught fire as well, I was surprised at how quickly it burned."
The Manchester Evening News understands an older son also lives in the property but was not home at the time.
A large crowd of neighbours quickly gathered at the scene to offer help and firefighters arrived within minutes.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire Service said last night that four fire engines were dispatched and crews found the house 'well alight'.
After putting out the flames, firefighters concentrated on "salvaging and clearing debris", the spokesperson added.
This morning a cordon remained in place around the house as police and fire investigators examined the scene.
The blaze caused extensive damage, with a large pile of burnt belongings left in the front garden, windows blackened and the plastic guttering melted.
Fire investigators were seen combing through the debris for clues while a specialist sniffer dog was sent in to look for evidence.
"Mum was in real distress," said the neighbour.
"Dad was shouting 'I've lost everything'.
"Whoever has done this, it's not just the people in that house they could have killed, it's others as well.
"The family next door have young kids and another on the way.
"It's shocking."
In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: "Shortly before 8pm on Thursday 5 September, police were called to reports of a fire at a property on Bordale Avenue.
"Emergency services attended and the fire was extinguished.
"The occupants managed to escape from the property and no one was injured.
"The incident is being treated as an arson, and a joint investigation has been launched with GMFRS.
"Enquiries are ongoing.
"Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 1146 quoting incident number 2620 of 05/09/2019.
"Information can be passed on anonymously by calling the Independent charity Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111."
