ARSONISTS have been slammed for putting lives at risk after starting a series of fires in the Brunshaw area of Burnley.

Police said the blazes could easily have ended in tragedy and they have appealed for those responsible to hand themselves in or face the full force of the law.

Police and fire crews were called to three fires at flat complexes in Walsden Grove, Deerstone Avenue and Edgworth Grove at about 11.30pm on Wednesday.

The first was a pile of rubbish near a block of flats, the second a shed and the third blaze furniture, again near flats.

Insp Damian Darcy, of Burnley Police, said the fires could potentially have blocked the exits from the accommodation and said: "We are investigating a series of fires in the Deerstone Avenue area of the town.

"Officers were called to reports of a small fire near some flats and they then spotted a shed on fire and following that another fire in some furniture.

"We are treating this as a very serious offence. It could have had tragic consequences. Anyone with information should call CID as a matter of urgency, because somebody could quite clearly have died. I would also appeal for these people responsible to do the right thing and hand themselves in before we find out who they are."

Crew manager at Burnley fire station Anthony Harrison said: "These fires are all being treated as suspicious and they could have been worse. All fires have the potential to be serious and whoever has started these has been most irresponsible."

Earlier this year an arson attack left two people needing medical treatment after a flaming rag was pushed through the letterbox of a block of flats.

One person was taken to hospital and another had to be treated for smoke inhalation at the scene after the attack at the Calico Housing flats in Edgworth Grove, Brunshaw.