An arson investigation is underway after a mosque caught fire during a spate of fires. Police believe the blazes are linked.

Firefighters tackled flames at the Faizane-e-Madina Masjid Mosque in Richmond Road, Accrington, which had spread from a nearby recycling skip.

Up to 20 retained firefighters got to the scene at around 3.30am.

Residents at one house had to be evacuated.

Hyndburn fire crews were at the time fighting an arson shed blaze in the rear of a property on nearby Fairfield Street, Springhill.

The shed contained three gas cylinders which were removed by officers without exploding.

Police and fire officials said there were also two other fires in the Springhill area of Accrington and all four happened between 3.15am and 4.50am on Wednesday, July 13.

John Taylor, of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Respective crews were at Fairfield Street and the mosque for around two hours. A recycling skip near the mosque caught fire and damaged the guttering of the mosque.

"There was some external damage to the mosque’s wall, roof and windows. Engineers from National Grid were also there dealing with a gas leak."

DI Mark Vaughton, of Accrington CID, said a team of his officers assisted fire crews at all the incidents.

He said: "It’s unusual to have this number of fires within such a small area in a short space of time and as such we believe the fires are linked. However, we do not believe that any individuals have been specifically targeted. If anybody has any information about these fires then I would ask them to contact police."

Anybody with any information is asked to contact police on 08451 25 35 45 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.