THREE explosions wrecked part of an allotments site after a suspected arson attack.

The major blaze ripped through Stanhill allotments, Oswaldtwistle, and ignited propane gas cylinders.

Police are investigating the ‘suspected arson’, which wrecked six sheds and two garages. No one was hurt.

A 200-metre exclusion zone was put around the site and residents from two homes in Stanhill Lane were evacuated just after 2am yesterday.

People in another 12 houses were told to move from the rear of their homes to the front.

Plotholders were left devastated, but residents expressed anger that gas cylinders were kept on the site.

Pam Barnes, who lives with former Blackburn firefighter Andy and daughter Gemma, said: “The place is piled up with rubbish and it is terrible because this is the fifth time we have had a fire in the past four years. This time we were lucky that we all managed to get out in one piece but this can’t be allowed to keep happening.

“It was really frightening and we woke up to all this cracking and popping and then I looked out of the window and saw the flames.”

Resident Debbie Ferguson lives with her partner, Paul Henderson and their son James, three. She said: “We are also the victims here and something drastic needs to be done to clear the site as we may not be as lucky next time. I am terrified for my son’s life.”

Plotholder Collin Banyard, whose sheds and garages were wrecked in the blaze, also called for action. He said: “Last time there was a fire about 30 of my pigeons were killed.”

Yesterday afternoon, the site remained cordoned off due to fears that another acetylene cylinder may explode. Watch manager Phil Whittaker, from Hyndburn Fire Station, said: “A cordon will remain in place until we are sure it is safe.”