ARSONISTS have set fire to a house in Blackburn causing £25,000 worth of damage.

Lancashire Police are currently investigating the suspicious house fire in Lammack Road, in which a property was deliberately set on fire during the early hours of Friday morning.

Officers said that there does not appear to be an obvious motive for the blaze.

The detached property, was unoccupied at the time of the fire, and is situated on the Mellor side of Lammack Road, close to the junction of Ramsgreave Drive.

Police said it is unclear exactly what time the fire was started, but the fire brigade were called out at around 7.30am on Friday morning.

Neighbours said they were unaware of the fire until the emergency services arrived.

Susan Prior, who lives across the from the property, said: “I didn’t see anything until the fire engines arrived at about 7.30am.

“They were followed by ambulances and the police, I think the ambulances were just a precaution.

“I think the lady next door must have called the fire brigade.

“I saw smoke coming out of the window upstairs, the living room is upstairs in those houses.

“The owner came shortly after and was there most of the day, he was shocked.”

Another neighbour, Natasha Eccles, said: “We didn’t see anything at all, we must have slept right through it.”

Det Sgt Kathryn Cussans from Blackburn CID said: “This was a determined attempt to cause serious damage to the property.

“At this stage there does not appear to be an obvious motive for this serious offence.

“Fortunately, the owner of the house was not present at the time of the incident.

“If they had been present the consequences could potentially have been more serious.

“I would appeal for anybody who has any information to contact Police on 101.”