FIREFIGHTERS spent several hours tackling an arson attack fire during which a gas pipe burst into flames.

An alert was raised at a semi-detached house in Morley Avenue, Meadowhead, Blackburn after children were seen setting fire to a roll of carpet.

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The arson attack happened at around 12.15pm when a 999 call was received saying children had set light to the carpet which was leaning against pipes.

The flames cracked a window and melted UPVC frames and led to the house filling with smoke.

Three fire crews attended to deal with the fire and monitor the gas pipe.

Firefighters remained at the scene for several hours until utility engineers could isolate the supply.

By 3.30pm a National Grid staff team of engineers had dealt with the leak.

Nobody was injured in the incident and gas supplies to neighbouring properties on the estate were unaffected.

A spokesman for the fire service said: “We received a 999 call saying children were seen setting light to a roll of carpet leaning against a house’s external gas pipe supply.

“The house had sustained damage internally as well as to the outside.

“Police have been notified of the arson.

“Two fire engines and crews, from Blackburn and Hyndburn were assigned to the incident.

“Firefighters used two hose reel jets to suppress the ignited plume of gas until engineers had isolated the supply.

“The house had sustained damage internally as well as to the outside and firefighters used a portable fan unit to extract the smoke and fumes from inside.”

On Saturday, a neighbour, said: “The fire was round the back of the house.

“The flames were against the brickwork and window.

“It was so hot it cracked the glass and buckled the frames. It was so dangerous.”

The fire spokesman added that once contained the gas was allowed to burn for safety reasons.

He said: “The flaming leak was monitored by the fire service to minimise risk to the property and neighbours.

“We allowed it to burn, as an ignited leak is safer than a build-up of flammable gas.”