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Arsonists behind car explosion

5/ 5/2008

ARSONISTS have blown up a car in a terrifying explosion in a residential street.

Neighbours heard the terrifying explosion and thought a bomb had gone off.

The Vauxhall Vectra exploded in Kingsbrook Road, Whalley Range, at 10.15pm on Wednesday, April 23.

Two people were seen running away.

It is not yet known whether the explosion was the result of an explosive device, a flammable substance being placed in the car or another cause, but fire crews say the blast cause was ‘deliberate’.

Debris was found spread across 30 square metres surrounding the silver Vauxhall Vectra.

A police cordon closed the road between Athol Road and Alexandra Road South while the investigation began.

Forensic experts who had been unable to examine the car properly overnight were at the scene the following morning.

The owners, who are believed to live on the road, were spoken to by police, but detectives say they have no reason at this stage to suggest the car was targeted in some kind of vendetta.

However, it is understood the owners have been given a panic alarm as a precaution.

A police spokesman said: "No information has been received to suggest that this car was targeted for any reason, however inquiries into why this happened and who is responsible are ongoing."

Neighbour Yusuf Iqbal, 21, said: "I was sat in the living room and heard a big explosion. I looked outside and saw two people, I think guys, running down the road towards an alley.

"The fire started small and then got bigger with a lot of little explosions as the windows blew out.

"My mum was quite shaken."

Neighbour Hussain Mubari said: "I heard a loud explosion, it sounded like a bomb.

"I thought something had happened to my home. I went outside and everyone was gathered there.

"I saw flames and thick smoke from the car."

To see video footage log on to manchestereveningnews. co.uk