POLICE are investigating an arson attack on a house in Darwen's Birch Hall estate.

And detectives have sent out an appeal for information following the attack on the privately owned home in Anchor Avenue.

The incident took place on Tuesday afternoon between 3.10pm and 3.50pm.

The vandals cut the telephone wires to the property and then poured a flammable liquid through the letter box of the property. The liquid was then set on fire.

Fire fighters were called to the house and stopped the blaze spreading to the rest of the house but the front door and hallway were badly damaged by the fire.

The fire brigade reported the incident to the police and Darwen CID have been trying to trace the owners of the property.

It is believed that the house was empty at the time of the attack.

Detective Inspector Tony Harling, of Blackburn CID, said: "This was potentially a very serious incident, it appears someone deliberately tried to set fire to this property."

Anyone with information about the attack should contact Darwen CID on 01254 701777.

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