A FLAT has been destroyed after being set on fire.

The flat, in Calderbrook Avenue, Burnley, was unoccupied at the time of the fire, but firefighters said it was well alight by the time they were called to the scene in the early hours of this morning. The fire has also spread to an empty shop below causing severe damage.

Firefighters were on the scene for more than three hours. Transco were also called out to isolate the gas supply.

It is not known how the fire was started, but it is being treated as suspicious.