A RESIDENT has described how a van went 'boom' as it was set alight by thieves in the Prestolee area on Tuesday morning.

Fire crews were called out early in the morning to reports of a van on fire in an isolated road.

Firefighters from Farnworth fire station arrived on Prestolee Road in the Stoneclough area at around 3am to find a large abandoned transit van on fire.

The blaze took 90 minutes to tackle, with crews having to perform a water relay such was the size of the task and it being more difficult to extinguish than they first anticipated.

Two tanks of water were required, with a typical fire engine holding around 1800 litres.

The van was completely gutted by the fire, with its smouldering frame being removed several hours later. 

Burnt debris and ashes were spread out across a small area of the road, including a panel from the car in a nearby stream and various parts of wiring.

Prestolee Road, an isolated stretch surrounded by fields, streams and trees, has had problems with incidents in the past according to one local resident.

Kelly, who runs a small farm next to the road, was awoken by the commotion caused by the fire and called 999.

She has seen several vans dumped on the winding road, with its isolation seemingly an ideal spot for thieves.

She said: "The van's alarm or mobiliser came on and we thought it was our car, so obviously we got up thinking that someone was trying to get into our car.

"It just kept going off and then they got in a car and disappeared and then about 20 minutes later they came back.

"I thought it was the police because I had rang them and then the van just went 'boom'. Then they got back in the car and drove off back away.

"It happens a lot around here- not necessarily burning them out but definitely the dumping.

"Last year it probably happened around four or five times in summer and it's quite close to us, as we have animals close to the road.

"I was a bit worried because the chickens sleep at the bottom in the stable and I thought the trees might go up and cause the building to set on fire but luckily it didn't."

Kelly, whose farm also includes horses and cows, added that the road had seen "boy racers" in the past, which had caused her to worry due to its dangerous nature.

Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for comment.