ARSONISTS caused damage to five Rishton shops after starting a fire in a basement.
Fire crews worked for more than two hours to extinguish flames and clear smoke from the shops and living accommodation in High Street.
The alarm was raised by a member of the public after they saw smoke coming from Rishton Second Hand Shop at 8.15pm yesterday.
When fire crews arrived they found that the shop had been broken into and material had been deliberately set alight.
A fire spokesman said: "The fire caused severe damage to the basement of the shop and some heat damage to adjacent properties particularly the DIY shop and hairdressers.
"However, the smoke from the blaze affected up to five neighbouring properties, which included accommodation.
"We had to send in six fire-fighters to ventilate the properties so residents could return. This fire was started deliberately and a joint investigation has now been launched with the police."
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