FIREFIGHTERS were called to Blackburn Railway Station after 'mindless' vandals started a fire in the toilets.

The fire happened at around 7.30pm last night and was caused by a toilet roll and toilet roll holder being deliberately set alight.

Two fire engines from Blackburn Station attended and two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus put the fire out using a fire extinguisher.

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A criminal investigation has been launched and British Transport Police officers are due to study the station's CCTV in a bid to identify the culprit.

And crew manager Steve Omagh warned whoever was responsible they were putting lives at risk by diverting firefighters from potentially more serious incidents.

Mr Omagh said: "It's mindless. There's no need for it. While we were there we were not able to go to a house fire or a a genuine accidental fire."

The fire caused mainly smoke damage to the toilets.

No evacuation of the railway station was needed and nobody was injured.

The fire is being treated as deliberate.

Firefighters were at the scene for around 20 minutes.