RESIDENTS in the Colne Road area of Burnley - scene of the Duke of York firebombing - today described the weekend's events as predictable.

Members of both the white community and the Asian community in the area said it had only been a matter of time before the incidents witnessed over the weekend began to unfolded.

Their community was split in two by a massive police wall running down the middle of Colne Road as officers acted to keep two gangs of men - one Asian and one white - apart.

They also guarded the firefighters tackling the blaze at the Duke of York from possible attack - and at least twice had to push gangs away.

At 1am today, a small group of elderly customers at the Victoria pub, just 100 yards away from the Duke of York, dared to leaved their pub, more than four hours after the police had arrived.

More than 20 blacked-out police vans surrounded by shield-wielding policemen were strategically placed to prevent further violence as smoke from the blazing Duke of York spread around them. The Victoria had remained untouched -- thanks partly to the reinforced glass which was installed recently as a precaution.

One drinker, who asked not to be named, said: "We have been waiting for this to happen. I have lived in this area all of my life but only recently has it got bad.

"Gangs of Asians and whites have been walking around armed. This has just been waiting to happen.

"The police have been told about the gangs but they have done nothing."

As a gang of Asian men walk towards the pub, the drinkers had to scurry back inside. Just two streets away, an Asian family watch the drama unfold from their front yard.

The father of the family, a taxi driver, told a similar story - again blaming lack of police action.

He sent his family indoors as we approached, not sure if we were out to cause trouble.

He said: "Tension has been mounting here for some time and we don't feel safe. The park is a no-go zone for them.

"I dare not work sometimes because I don't know who I will pick up.

"This could have been stopped if the police had taken action."

Former Burnley mayor Rafique Malik's son Shahid, a senior member of the Commission for Racial Equality, said there was added racial sensitivity after the British National Party gained 11.2% in the general election.

He added: "Sadly it seems some of the young men heard about Asian businesses being attacked and they felt the right course of action was to attack white businesses.

"There is no justification for that but people must understand that they have been taunted by white racists.

"The police have done very well. They have tried to handle the situation sensitively, and I have no criticism of them other than to say they did not seem to have the necessary numbers to tackle the violence."

Many people in the town centre last night found themselves stranded as taxi-drivers refused to pick up fares. Walking home was also a difficulty after Yorkshire Street was closed off.

By closing time the St James' Street area was deserted.

Pubs were in darkness and the McDonald's restaurant had a large sign explaining that it had closed early to guarantee the safety of staff.

Members of staff at the burger chain said they had watched white men armed with bricks walk toward the troublespot less than 200 yards away from their place of work.

When one group of men found they could not get into McDonald's, they smashed the glass. Staff were only allowed out as people arrived to pick them up.