A local councillor has expressed her support for a family whose home was the target of a firebomb attack in Bolton. The incident occurred on Eastgrove Avenue in the Sharples area at approximately 9:20 PM on Wednesday.
Terrifying video footage shows a male wearing a helmet and dark clothing running onto the driveway before the blaze erupts. The male appears to hold a bag in one hand and another item in the other, from which he pours liquid. The item then bursts into flames on the driveway, and the male throws the burning object toward the front of the home.
Astley Bridge councillor Hillary Fairclough described the clip as 'horrifying' and 'disturbing.' She hopes police can find the assailant and bring him to justice. 'I'm hopeful that the police may find who it was,' she told the M.E.N. 'I do hope that they are continuing everything they can to find this person and to reassure this person. That for me would be the worrying thing. Sitting in your house and having this happen must have been terrifying.'
Hassan Patel, 42, lives at the property with his wife, four young children, and his nephew. He was not home at the time but spoke of his shock. Mr Patel is the principal for Islamic Education at the Taiyabah Masjid mosque and Islamic Centre on Draycott Street, Bolton, and an Imam at Masjid e Aisha on Seymour Road, Astley Bridge.
Speaking as police confirmed a 'targeted attack,' Mr Patel said: 'I am shaken by it all really, and the children are shaken. It is a quiet community. We have not had any issues before. Everybody is concerned. They are asking why this has happened. The police are investigating. We want to thank everybody who has sent messages. We really appreciate the community coming together.'
Mr Patel's son, Umair Yusuf, 19, described how the blaze was quickly extinguished after one of his younger brothers used buckets of water and a hose pipe. He said the family believes the attack was 'racially motivated.' 'He saw they saw him and looked at him. We feel that it was racially motivated. We feel that it was targeted to this house. One person stays on the motorbike and the other intentionally walks up and calmly did what he did. He knew exactly what he was doing.'
Councillor Fairclough called on the public to remain 'vigilant' but stressed the need for more information. 'I don't want to put things in people's minds,' she said. 'I really don't want to do anything that might cause any friction until we know. If this person is caught, we will have a much better idea and what it's about and what the reason is. You could jump to a lot of conclusions and may be right about these things.' She added that she is available if the family needs help: 'My message to them is if you need anything or want anything, I'm here.'
Greater Manchester Police are investigating and appealing for witnesses. Detective Chief Inspector Mike Sharples said: 'Incidents like this are not acceptable in our community and no one should be made to feel threatened or intimidated. Thankfully, no one was injured, however, the consequences of this suspected arson attack could have been very different. We understand this incident may cause concern within the community; we are working to find those responsible and bring them to justice. We believe this was a targeted attack, and there is no risk to the wider public. Officers will be providing reassurance with visits in the community throughout the day. Our enquiries to identify those responsible are ongoing, and we urge anyone with information that may assist our investigation to please come forward.' Anyone with information, CCTV, or dashcam footage is asked to call 101 quoting log 3561 of 10/06/2026 or contact via the LiveChat function at gmp.police.uk. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
