Police appeal after Burnley arson attack

Police were called at 3.40am yesterday (Tuesday) to reports of a fire at a house in Cardinal Street to find smoke damage to an external wall.

The occupants of the property, a 38-year-old woman and her young children, were unhurt.

As part of their investigations, police are now trying to identify a woman who was driving a silver Renault Clio that ran out of fuel at the junction of Greenhead Lane and Barden Lane around 10.30pm on Monday. She is described as white, 5ft 7in tall, with long blonde/brown hair in ringlets and is believed to have been wearing a blue top and skirt.

DC Dave Greenwood, of Burnley Police, said: “We are appealing to the woman herself, or indeed anyone who may have seen her, to come forward as we believe she could hold vital information that may assist with our investigation.”

A 31-year-old man from Burnley has been charged with arson with intent to endanger life and is due to appear at Burnley Magistrates’ Court today.

Anyone with information can contact Burnley CID on 01282 472524 or they can call 101 quoting log 117 of 15th September.

Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org.