Two arrested following Oswaldtwistle arson attack (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Two arrested following Oswaldtwistle arson attack

2:00pm Monday 24th September 2012 in News By Catherine Pye, Health reporter

A MAN and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire broke out at a shop in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle.

Firefighters were called to the address at 6.50am yesterday after reports that there was a blaze at the rear of the property.

And they alerted the police shortly after when they found 16 cannabis plants.

Gary Hargreaves, watch manager at Hyndburn Fire Station, said: “The fire was in the rear of the shop and has caused quite substantial damage to the kitchen.

“It was also smoke logged along with the commerical property and the flat above, but luckily there was no-one in there at the time.

“A man was suffering from smoke inhalation at the scene, and received oxygen.”

Firefighters believe the fire was started deliberately, and police have sealed off the shop.

A man and a 29-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and arson with the intent to endanger life.

The man spent some time in hospital yesterday morning and was treated for smoke inhalation.

Insp Graham Ashcroft said: “When we got to the premises we found a number of cannabis plants.

“We have sealed off the premises while investigation work is completed.”

Anyone with information about the incident should call Oswaldtwistle police on 101.