A series of empty terraced houses have been deliberately torched by arsonists, firefighters believe. Six terraced properties on Booth Street were involved in a blaze early this morning.

And an empty house on Royds Street, which backs on to Booth Street, was destroyed entirely by fire late last night.

Police and fire crews believe the incidents could be linked and are investigating what caused them.

Crew manager Liam Barker, of Hyndburn Fire Station, said: "These are suspicious incidents. The empty mid-terraced property on Royds Street was completely destroyed at around 10pm on Sunday, May 15. It was not a liveable space and I believe it is going to be knocked down."

He added: "At 6am on Monday, May 16, the roof spaces of six terraced properties were affected in a fire. We initially tackled it from the outside but then broke into two properties so we could stop it spreading at both ends. They are suspicious but we don't know yet if they are deliberate. They are probably linked."

Firefighters tackled each incident for around two hours and are now investigating what caused them.

Police are treating them as suspicious and were also at the scene this morning.