An investigation has been launched following a shed fire in Great Harwood.

Fifteen firefighters tackled the blaze on an allotment off Blackburn Road at around 9pm last night.

There were fears a small gas cylinder inside the shed could explode as crews worked to extinguish the fire.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Luckily we cooled the cylinder down and had the fire out within 45 minutes. It was deliberately started and we have told the police."

Arsonists set a skip and its contents on fire last night.

The burning skip on Dill Hall Lane, opposite Enfield Cricket Club, was reported to the fire service at around 6.40pm.

Four firefighters put the flames out using a jet and have passed a file to police.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: "The issue with skips is the fire can develop and spread. It's not a harmless prank as these people just don't know what is in the skip."

No one was injured.