A LANDMARK Burnley pub has been targeted by arsonists for the second time this year.

Police are treating the blaze at the derelict Bull and Butcher pub in Manchester Road as deliberate after some seating was set alight on Thursday night.

And enquiries are continuing into an arson attack in April which caused the partial collapse of the pub and led to part of it being demolished after it was deemed structurally unsafe.

Councillors are calling for something to be done about the historic pub which has been branded an ‘eyesore’.

The pub, which closed in 2010, has been a magnet for vandals in recent years.

Coal Clough with Deerplay ward councillor Bill Brindle said: “I really hope it does not end up like what used to be The Scarecrow in Glen View Road.

“That was demolished and they are supposed to be building there, but nothing has been done and it is now a derelict wasteland.

“Something needs to be done and very quickly. Residents are not pleased. It is an eyesore.

“It is high time something was done about it although I appreciate it may be in the hands of the insurance company and can take some time.

“I believe the restaurant part of it is listed building so that could also be why it is taking some time.”

Cllr Margaret Brindle said the main thing was to make it safe.

She said: “Until something is determined about its future we want to make sure it is as safe as possible.

“It is the gateway to Burnley and it is an eyesore.

“We just have to wait and see what happens but hopefully a decision will be made on its future shortly.”

Police were called to the fire, which is believed to have been of ‘suspicious origins’, just after 8pm by the fire service.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “An unknown offender has entered a derelict building, a former public house, started a fire on an old sofa and made off.

“The fire was put out fairly quickly. The building was not fully on fire and it was controlled.”

A Lancashire Fire and Rescue spokesman said two crews were sent from Burnley and were at the scene for an hour.

He said: “It is a dangerous structure and was already fire damaged. Firefighters fought it from the outside.

“There was a lot of damage to some seating on the ground floor.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101.