AN arsonist who has set fire to three flats in a community is being hunted by detectives.

Police said the arsonist was putting lives at risk as some of the blazes in the Galligreaves area of Blackburn had blocked the homes' only exits.

A shed and wheelie bins have also been targeted.

On Monday night firefighters entered a blazing flat in Fawcett Close after it was reported there may be people trapped inside. There was no one there but a front door and window were severely damaged by the fire.

A flat in Roebuck Close was targeted on February 1, on the same street where a similar attack took place four weeks ago.

And police said a shed was set on fire in Heatley Close on February 1. They added that a number of wheelie bins had been targeted by the serial firebug.

A resident living in a flat in Fawcett Close, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal, said: "It's frightening. You don't know if it's going to be your house that's next.

"The fire has made a real mess outside the flat. If somebody had been inside at the time they wouldn't have been able to get out."

Detective Sergeant Paul Ryan, of Blackburn CID, said: "The fires are being set close to the front doors and, in the cases of two homes, that's the only reasonable fire exit to the premises because they are first floor flats.

"If that exit is blocked then people would be forced to jump from windows. It's very dangerous.

"The motive for the fires is unknown and it may be that the person starting the fires doesn't realise the danger they are causing because these incidents are potentially life threatening."

DS Ryan said CCTV footage in the area was being reviewed by detectives. He added: "All of these incidents are in a very small area of town which would tend to suggest that the offender lives in the locality.

"We are treating these incidents very seriously. We would like to hear from anybody who has witnessed suspicious activity surrou-nding the fires to contact us."

Call Blackburn CID on 01254 353563 or 01254 51212.