RESIDENTS were evacuated when a suspicious fire tore through a mid-terraced house in Brierfield.

Fire crews said the house in Montague Street was empty when the blaze started at around 8.40pm on Monday.

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Crew manager Rick Courtney, from Burnley fire station said the fire started downstairs.

He said: "There was a serious fire on the ground floor in the front room and in the back room.

"There were two sites of fire which raised our suspicion. There is a possibility it was a deliberate fire and the fire service is investigating in conjunction with the police."

Crew manager Courtney said the downstairs rooms, as well as the stairwell, were 'severely damaged' by flames and heat.

The rest of the property was also badly damaged by smoke.

 


 

Residents of two nearby properties were evacuated. Neighbour Saiqa Kuser, 32, said: "It was a big fire. We had to go outside.

"My one-and-a-half-year-old daughter was scared."

Sidra Kousar, 26, was also evacuted and said: "Somebody came and said next door was on fire.

"We stood in the street for a bit, and then went to our auntie's house.

"There was smoke everywhere. I was very scared because of all the smoke."

John Pickles, 70, who lives nearby, also witnessed the fire and said: "The cats went mad and the blue lights came past.

"I came out and it was well alight. The front window had gone.

"There were flames all over the place and they'd already bashed the door in. There was a lot of smoke.

"It hasn't been lived in for about two years. It's been broken into twice.

"The owner lives in Ireland.

"I had a quick look inside before they boarded it up. I couldn't see much but it's completely gutted.

"It's like the black hole of Calcutta. The windows are black."

Two fire engines were at the scene for around an hour and a half.

It is thought the intruders gained entry through a back door.

Scenes of crime officers were at the house yesterday investigating the blaze.

A police spokeswoman said: "The investigation is being treated as an arson. Enquiries are ongoing.

"We are appealing for anybody who saw anything suspicious to get in touch on 101, quoting log number 1338/1011."