ARSONISTS have torched an empty house earmarked for redevelopment in a multi-million pound scheme.

Offenders broke into the terraced property on Royds Street in Woodnook, Accrington and deliberately set fire to items in three ground floor rooms.

Hyndburn fire station crew manager Steve Hartley said there was severe damage to the floor and skirting and fire damage throughout the rest of the building.

He said: “It was definitely an arson and they set fire to furniture, stairs, window sills and carpets in three rooms.

“There was two square metres of burning in each room on the ground floor and we had to use breathing apparatus, hose reels and ventilation equipment to put it out.

“We were there for about an hour.”

The incident happened at around 10pm on Monday, May 12.

The street is currently unoccupied and boarded up ready for demolition as part of a £15 million scheme to bring more than 150 homes back into use.