AN historic building in Blackburn has again been targeted in a suspected arson attack.

Four fire crews were last night called to the derelict Griffin Lodge and Coach House in Cavendish Place.

They were called just before midnight and said the building was well alight, with flames pouring from the windows and roof.

They were battling the fire until about 5am today.

The incident is being treated as suspicious and crews are investigating. They said the property had become a regular meeting point for anti-social youths.

It is only three months since the the Grade Two-listed property, previously used as a museum, was gutted in another suspicious fire.

While the fire was burning, Darwen fire crews had to tackle a blaze in a lift shaft in Blackburn.

Three crews from Darwen Fire Station went to Stancliff Street at 12.26am, as the Blackburn crews dealt with a large blaze in Cavendish Place.

It left severe damage to the lift shaft on ground and first floors. A spokesman said they were looking into whether the fires might be linked.