AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into a deliberate fire at AFC Darwen.

Two fire engines and nine crew members from Blackburn attended the incident at the Branch Road juniors ground at 1.20pm on Saturday.

They used two sets of breathing apparatus while tending to the rubbish fire, which was inside a derelict building at the Lower Darwen ground, previously used as changing rooms.

It took fire crews approximately an hour to extinguish the blaze completely.

A spokesman for Blackburn fire service said: “Two of our engines were called out to a derelict building that was on fire.

“It was a disused changing rooms.

“It was a small rubbish fire inside the building that had been deliberately ignited. We were there for about an hour.

“The fire investigations are ongoing – deliberate fires can cost lives.

“They also put a strain on Fire Service resources that may be required elsewhere.

“If you suspect any deliberate fires call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.”

Darwen councillor Paul Browne said he was very concerned at the number of deliberate fires in Darwen at the moment.

He said: “There does seem to be a lot of fires in the town at the moment and it’s very concerning that a lot of them are being started deliberately.

“People who are doing this are sick and it’s such a shame.

“It’s not good news at all and it’s putting a really bad image on the town.”

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101.