A suspected arson attack in Padiham yesterday was the third in a month in the same area.

The blaze saw a garden shed set on fire in Ingham Street, just before 1.10am, with flames then spreading to a neighbouring back yard and nearby houses.

Fire chiefs said the alarm was raised by a couple living in the next door property, which suffered heat damage to a rear door and kitchen window.

The shed in the first house was damaged, along with rear doors and windows.

Fire brigade spokesman Richard Edney said: “The cause of the fire is thought to have been deliberate and it has been passed to police for investigation.”

Last month firefighters were alerted to two suspicious blazes within hours of each in the town.

The first, also in Ingham Street, broke out around 1.20am on February 19, and was mainly confined to the hallway of the empty property.

But firefighters were again forced to use breathing apparatus to check whether anyone was in the house.

Another similar fire was reported in nearby Altham Street later that morning.

Mr Edney confirmed that both of the February fires were thought to have been started deliberately.

Detectives from Burnley CID are investigating the latest fire but today refused to reveal any details of how their inquiry was progressing.