CHILDREN are being blamed for starting a fire at a disused pub in Blackburn Town Centre.

Fire broke out at about 3.30pm at the former Th'Owd Stables on Cicely Lane in a first floor room.

Fire officers at the scene said the building is a repeated target for vandals and firebugs and could not tell what damage had been caused.

The culprits had disappeared by the time the fire brigade arrived.