AN arsonist thought to be behind a series of early-morning blazes in Accrington is being hunted by detectives.

The firebug has struck three times in as many weeks on Sunday mornings between 6am and 9am.

The first attack was at around 7.20am on Sunday, December 21, when a small fire was set under a car in Avenue Parade.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The second happened at 6.35am a week later, when the offender poured accelerant through the letterbox of a terrace house in Manor Street and set it on fire.

The most recent incident took place at 8.25am on Sunday, January 4.

The arsonist is again believed to have poured accelerant through the letterbox of a house in Lodge Street before setting it alight.

Each time the alarm was raised early enough to prevent any major damage but detectives are taking the attacks ‘very seriously’.

In Manor Street, 19-year-old Bilal Aly was hailed as a hero after alerting his sleeping family to the attack.

The quick-thinking student rushed to wake up his brother, Jamal, 12, sister Hajra, 14, and parents, Riyasat and Safiya, both 48, before trying to stifle the flames with thick blankets.

Det Insp Eric Halford, of Blackburn CID, said: “They all posed a legitimate danger to life, and as such we are seeking the public’s help in quickly identifying the offender.

“Due to the small geographic area they have been committed in, the fact they are all committed on Sunday mornings and the timings of the offences we believe these to be linked.”

Detectives are keen to trace a man described as white, in his late twenties to early twenties, of medium build, with cropped or shaven dark hair.

He is believed to have been wearing a blue hooded top.

DI Halford added: “Clearly the Sunday is of relevance to these offences and it is most likely they are being committed by someone going about their routine activity on that morning. Maybe they are going to or returning from work or stay over at a specific address on that day and in that area, and we are asking people to help us identify anyone that may fit this profile.”

CCTV footage in the Manor Street area has also captured another man who detectives would like to speak to. He is wearing what appears to be a very dark hooded top and is carrying a white carrier bag.

The attacks are not believed to be religiously or racially motivated, police said.

Anyone who has any information can contact DC Russell on 01254 353562 or by contacting Lancashire Police on 101.

Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.