AN arsonist is suspected of putting a burning cloth through a letter box in a quiet, Blackburn street.

Firefighters from Blackburn were called to Flimby Close, off Fishmoor Drive at dusk, where they found a house’s front door well alight.

Neighbours had called 999 after hearing a smoke alarm sound from within the property at around 9pm on Monday, a fire service spokeswoman said. She said: “Somebody has placed something inside the letter box. It burned hot and quick, so it could have been a bit of cloth. It looks to have suspicious origin.”

Firefighters broke into the property through the burning front door, searching the homes wearing breathing apparatus to make sure nobody was inside.

The property was empty, and was undergoing renovation, the spokeswoman added.

The door was destroyed, and some smoke damage was also suffered inside the rest of the house.