AN arson investigation was launched after a man found his car on fire.

Fire crews were called to Moulding Close in Blackburn at around 7.10pm on Friday after the owner of a Renault Clio Sport spotted it ablaze.

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It was the third suspicious fire in just two hours.

Crew manager Lee Garnett said: “The car owner successfully extinguished the fire prior to the arrival of the fire service.

“Crews found the vehicle had a flammable liquid on the bodywork. The liquid had then ignited in the region of the driver’s door and door sill, causing severe flame and heat damage.

“Police were informed the fire was suspicious and investigations are continuing.”

CCTV cameras in the vicinity are set to be examined.

Mr Garnett said: “The fire service was in attendance for approximately 50 minutes and was not available for more serious emergency response calls.”

Fire crews from Blackburn also responded to two rubbish fires; in a park in East Park Road at 8.15pm, and on the site of a former mill in Scotland Bank Terrace at 9pm.

Both piles of refuse had been set on fire deliberately. The first, at the park, damagedrailings.

“Deliberate fires can cost lives. They also put a strain on resources that may be required elsewhere,” he said.