FIREFIGHTERS were called to a row of boarded-up terraced houses in Duke Street in Burnley last night after it was believed children had got in and set fire to them.
The fire began in the roof of one of the empty properties, which are earmarked for demolition, and spread into the adjoining buildings.
Sub officer John Davies, of Burnley Fire and Rescue, said: "The houses were all boarded up with steel shutters over the windows and doors but someone, probably a child, had climbed in through a little opening.
"They knocked a small hole through into next door, got into the roof and climbed into the house next door that and set fire to the roof of the third building.
"When we got there the flames were coming through the roof and spread to houses either side.
"Even though there was no monetary value to them it's still a danger that children are getting in there and to have climbed through to the third house to start a fire.
"There's the possibility that the child could have become trapped."
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