Suspicious blaze causes evacuations of Burnley businesses

It has been reported that a number of businesses had to be evacuated on Saturday night after a fire ripped through a row of derelict houses in Accrington Road, Burnley.

Fire crews were called to the scene at around 2230 GMT where fire had already caused substantial damage to the 10 houses on the street, formerly known as Woodville Terrace.

It took around 40 firefighters from East Lancashire services to combat the flames which tore through the houses.

The businesses which had to be evacuated due to the fire included Dixy’s Chicken takeaway, Lifestyle Express, Mainline Taxis, and the Spar. The road also had to be cordoned off due to the unsafe nature of the structures.

An investigation has already been launched into the blaze, which is understood to have been started at the end of the block in an old bicycle store.

The police have now appealed for witnesses to come forward as the fire is being treated as suspicious.

Speaking on behalf of Burnley Police, Inspector Nick Hodgeson said:

“The cause of the fire is unknown at the moment and we are keeping an open mind.

“We would appeal for anyone who has seen anything suspicious in the area on Saturday night to come forward.”