A CHILDREN'S nursery has been targeted by arsonists for the third time in 11 months.

Police have launched an investigation into the latest arson attack at Little People's Nursery, Piccadilly Road, Burnley.

Officers are probing whether the blazes are linked, but are not ruling out that the latest incident was a random attack.

A window was smashed with a brick some time between 12.30 and 1am today and a bottle of accelerant thrown into the nursery.

Eyewitness spotted the blaze, soon after it is thought to have been started, and reported it to the emergency services.

The blaze was quickly contained by Burnley firefighters after causing damage to the reception area, carpets and fixtures.

The nursery, which cares for 70 youngsters ranging from new-born babies to five-year-olds, was targeted by arsonists twice last February.

In the first attack, where a plastic bottle of flammable liquid was thrown into the property, £5,000 worth of damage was caused on Saturday February 10.

The second attack, on February 22, forced the nursery to close for four weeks, after fire caused extensive heat and smoke damage.

Fire services said in that incident, a lump of concrete was thrown through a window, followed by a bottle of flammable liquid.

Forensic investigators today carried out an investigation of the scene.

Inspector Jez Holland said: "Some sort of brick was used to smash the window at the side of the front door.

"An accelerant was thrown through the broken window.

"The damage was restricted to the reception area, carpeting and fixtures.

"The evidence indicates that it has definitely been targeted."

The nursery declined to comment.

Anyone with information should contact the police on 01282 425001.