TWO men have beem charged after a house in Blackburn had a firebomb thrown at it.

Police and firefighters were called to Scotland Bank Terrace in Ewood after reports of disturbances involving a number of men belonging to different groups.

Officers said that a makeshift firebomb was thrown at the front upstairs bedroom window of one house, but it missed, and set stone cladding around the window frame on fire instead.

Four men aged, 16, 20, 24 and 29 were arrested on suspicion of arson yesterday.

The 24 and 29-year-olds have now both been charged with arson with intent to endanger life, attempt arson with intent to endanger life and possession of offensive weapons (machete and baseball bat).

The 29-year-old is further charged with possession of a butterfly knife.

Both were remanded to appear at Blackburn Magistrates Court today.

The 16-year-old boy has been bailed until 26 August pending further enquiries and the 20-year-old man was released without charge

Inspector Bilal Mulla, of the Eastern Division police, said officers were treating the investigation very seriously.

He said: “Nobody was hurt and fire damage was limited to a blackening of the front of the property.”

By the time emergency crew arrived just before 11pm on Monday, the bomb had burnt itself out.

Smashed glass had to be cleared up from the area and scorch damage is now visible on cladding outside the house.

It is understood only one person was in the house at the time of the attack.

Scotland Bank Terrace resident, Anthony Howson, 22, said he was “frightened to death” by the night’s events.

He said: “Everything started kicking off about 10.30pm with people throwing things, then the police arrived.

“It was all really frightening. I’m moving out of here, it’s getting too much.”

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: “I was sat watching television when there was a lot of noise and shouting.

“The dog was going crazy with it all.

“There’s a lot of things like this happen around here.”

John Taylor, spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said the incident had the potential to be very grave indeed.

He said: “Fire and heat damage from the petrol bomb could have had disastrous consequences, resulting in potential death or severe injury.

“This is the kind of action we really deplore. It puts extra pressure on the fire services taking away from other incidents.

“I can’t begin to imagine what kind of people think that this behaviour is acceptable.

"Not only are they putting innocent people at risk, they are also putting the fire fighters who attend the incidents in danger.