A DERELICT chapel has set on fire for the third time in a month.
Crew from Bacup, Haslingden and Rawtenstall were called to the former Millgate Chapel on Market Street in Shawforth at 2.30am on Saturday morning.
When firefighters arrived they found two seats on fire with one of them causing a significant fire on the first floor.
Crews were at the scene for five and a half hours.
Watch manager from Bacup, Chris Haworth said: "This is the third fire in just over a month at this property.
"The fire service would urge people not to enter the church.
"The conditions within the building are treacherous with missing hand rails on the stairs and dangerous floors and stair treads throughout the building.
"Setting deliberate fires ties up valuable fire service resources and, should a life threatening incident take place at the same time, fires like this puts lives at risk."
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