WORK has finally started to repair a row of firebombed properties after months of stand-offs.

Shops and flats on Whalley Banks, Bank Top, in Blackburn town centre have been surrounded with scaffolding since an arson attack last October.

Paranoid schizophrenic Sebastian Szydlowskia set light to the Almera Polish food shop.

The damage, insurance bills and loss of trade has been estimated by those affected as in excess of £2million.

However, work is now underway to repair the shell of buildings.

Former chairman of the bank Top Community Association Eddie Duxbury, 80, has been pushing for improvements after labelling the buildings as ‘risk to public safety’.

He said: “I sent a letter to the council’s director of regeneration because I wasn’t happy that people were being forced to walk into the road due the scaffolding.

“Nothing seemed to be happening and it was just fortunate that nobody was hit by traffic. It seemed badly planned.

“It looks a real mess as resurfacing work on that stretch missed out the road in front of Whalley banks.

“I’m happy to see some progress after all this time.”

Mr Duxbury received a letter back from Brian Bailey, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s director of regenration explaining an insurance wrangle had delayed work.

According to John Sharples, of surveyors firm ACS Partnership, in Whalley Banks, neighbouring buildings were under-insured or not insured at all.

He described the effects of the fire on his business as ‘devastating’.

He said: “I suggest that the extent of damage and allowing for professional fees and VAT is excess of £1.5million.

"There is also considerable business interruption where some businesses have been completely wiped out.

"So the cost of business interruption could easily also amount to a further £500,000.”