Accrington pub blaze was started deliberately

It has been reported that a fire which began in flats near to a pub in Accrington on Friday afternoon and caused damage to the establishment is now being treated by police as an arson attack.

The police have confirmed that the flat fire behind The Calder in Blackburn Road had been started deliberately, due to the location of the blaze.

Detective Sergeant Paul Langley from Accrington CID explained how an investigation is now underway into the fire which began in the only access and exit stairwell for those living in the block.

He said:

“Residents who raised the alarm got out, but if they hadn’t discovered the fire there would have been very serious repercussions.

“It is the only access for the building and we think it was chosen for that very reason.

At this time, we are making inquiries with the residents of the flats.

“It has caused such damage to the stairwell that the building has been deemed unsafe.”

The fire is said to have begun at around 2.30pm when residents reported smelling smoke and evacuated the flats just in time.

Three Hyndburn fire crews managed to bring the fire under control but part of the ceiling of the pub collapsed as well as receiving smoke and water damage.