POLICE have launched an investigation after an arson attack at a flat in Darwen.

Two fire crews from Darwen Station attended the fire which had been deliberately started at the building in Norris Street.

Watch commander Tony Thorpe said children had been seen playing in the area and it is believed they set a pile of rubbish on fire before fleeing the scene.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used one hose reel to extinguish the fire which was located in the ground floor of the derelict property.

Mr Thorpe said: "Some children have pulled the boards off to get in to the flat, piled up a load of rubbish and set it on fire.

"This building is unsafe and I would urge youngsters not to play in it. These kind of incidents risk lives because they divert resources away from potentially more serious incidents where people are trapped in buildings."

Nobody was injured in the incident which happened at 4.50pm on Friday.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.