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ARSONISTS aged as young as 12 may caused thousands of pounds worth of damage in a spate of random attacks.

Firefighters were called to the Roe Lee area of Blackburn to tackle two car fires and a fire in a car wash over a two hour period early yesterday.

And one resident, who asked to remain anonymous over fears he could become a target, said the group sounded like children that were no more than 12 or 13 years old.

Police have been looking through CCTV footage from the car wash and have said they are hunting three youths.

The resident in Brownhill Road said: "I heard children in the street and they sounded very young, maybe 12 or so, which is outrageous, considering the time of night.

"They were making lots of noise and I think they had been drinking. The whole thing was terrifying "Then I heard this popping noise I wasn't sure what it was but then I realised that they had set a car on fire.

"There have been problems in this area before with teenagers drinking but the area has been quiet for a while."

Firefighters believe all three of the attacks are linked but the police have said they are only linking two of the incidents.

The first fire was at an industrial estate in Openshaw Drive around 12.30am, where a white Vauxhall Corsa was set alight and destroyed.

Then at around 1.57am a green Volkswagen Polo worth £8,500 was destroyed after being set on fire in a driveway in Brownhill Road.

Firefighters said it appeared that the windows were smashed and accelerant had been poured into the vehicles because the fires took hold very quickly.

In both incidents youths were either seen or heard running from the area.

Over an hour later, at around 2.15am, the brushes of a BP car wash in Whalley New Road were also set alight.

Watch Manager Damien Hartley said: "Youths were seen running from the first incidents and we were told about a second car fire after reports from residents in the street.

"The youths were also seen running from the fire in the car wash.

"It appears as though the windows were smashed and accelerant had been poured into the vehicles because the fires took hold very quickly."

PC James Gerrie who is investigating the arson attacks, said: "We are investigating two related incidents, one at the car wash and the other on a car in Brownhill Road.

"Extensive damage was caused to the car and the car wash.

"Anyone who witnessed the incidents or anyone with information is asked to contact police."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 1 25 35 45.

9:32pm Friday 9th May 2008

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