CHILDREN are suspected of starting a blaze inside a derelict house in Burnley.

Fire crews were called to the house in Barden Lane at 8.45pm yesterday.

Crews with breathing apparatus climbed into the property through a first floor window.

The ground floor was boarded up. A burning matress was removed from the building and extinguished.

Firefighters are pictured re-sealing the door after putting out the mattress blaze.

Fire fighter Phil Marsden said crews spent about 15 minutes at the scene.

He said: "We think children got inside through a back window and set fire to a mattress.

"The building was full of used furniture and rubbish.

"Two fire engines were sent to deal with it, and fans were used to clear the smoke.

"There was no major damage to the building."