A woman was taken to hospital and two others treated at the scene of a suspected arson in Little Hulton last night.
Three fire crews from Farnworth, Eccles and Agecroft were called to the narrow residential Ellesmere Street at 9.15pm last night to reports of wheelie bins abalze in the back garden of a terraced house.
The blaze spread to the back door of the house, setting off a smoke alarm which alerted the three occupants.
Police are treating the fire as arson with intent to endanger life and have launched a joint investigation into the cause.
A 54-year-old woman was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene and taken to Royal Bolton hosptial for further treatment.
Firefighters doused the flames with water jets before clearing smoke using positive pressure fans.
Crews stayed at the scene for around two hours to make the area safe and reassure residents.
Police have launched a joint probe with the fire service to determine the cause of the blaze.
