A BURNLEY music store's £180,000 stock has been salvaged despite arsonists striking at the shop on Saturday night.

Police today said they were investigating the blaze which broke out at Megasound UK in Standish Street at around 9.15pm.

It is believed arsonists entered an passageway underneath the shop's first floor and set fire to flammable material contained inside a bin.

Fire chiefs today used the incident to warn traders to dispose of potential hazardous waste responsibly.

Sub-officer Eddie Steel, of Burnley fire and rescue, said: "Shopkeepers must be very careful where they store and dispose of flammable material. One match could be all it takes for someone to lose their shop and their livelihood.

"The owner of the music shop has been really lucky.

"If this fire had happened later, when nobody was around, he could have lost the shop and its £180,000 stock inside which included guitars and karaoke equipment.

"Fortunately, a member of the public alerted us to the fire early enough for us to prevent it from spreading. It caused smoke damage to the shop and the building next door."

Anyone with information should contact police on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.