A GANG of arsonists which has struck 13 times in three months has prompted police to send out warning letters to residents.

The move came as a young mother revealed how her young family had to be evacuated in the early hours as fire threatened to spread through their home.

The attacks, which began in January, have targeted the Higher Croft and Infirmary areas of Blackburn.

Det Con Scott Waddington from Blackburn CID said: "It started off as a juvenile nuisance but it has become serious. In one instance a bin was set alight and left next to the house and the family had to be evacuated.

"We are concerned that someone is going to get seriously hurt so what we are asking is for anyone who might have information on who the culprits are to come forward."

Laura Bell, 28, and her three daughters, Grace, two, Ellie, five, and Aimee, eight, were woken up by firefighters at 2am after a rubbish fire at their house in Lyndhurst Road on March 1.

Laura said: "It was really frightening, especially when you've got three children and Ellie has cystic fibrosis. I was just in shock when it happened.

"It's a lovely street, full of really nice people, I just don't know who would do this."

Police and fire chiefs in the town are now handing out letters in the neighbourhoods in a desperate bid to catch the culprits.

Wheelie bins, outhouses, sheds and derelict properties have been the main targets for the fireraisers.

Station manager at Blackburn Fire Brigade Gary Monk said he hoped the arsonists would be caught before anyone got seriously hurt and he appealed to residents to help firefighters.

He said: "If somebody is going round and setting fire to rubbish and properties then the fire engines are being taken away from other areas that could be real emergencies.

"We can only do so much. We need the local community to come on board and assist us with our investigations."

Higher Croft councillor Fred Gollop revealed crime in the area was on the increase and called on anyone with information to come forward.

He said: "This is very serious and could have terrible consequences especially if the victims are elderly.

"If anyone can help by either giving the police information or by getting in touch with the councillors then please do so and we'll take it from there."

Anyone with information can contact Blackburn Police on 01254 51212 and quote log 95EQ/250306 or alternatively contact Crimestoppers by phoning 0800 555 111.