FIREFIGHTERS on a ‘familiarisation visit’ in Blackburn discovered a blaze in an unoccupied commercial building.

The crews, who were checking the best places to get water from the Leeds Liverpool Canal in the event of a major fire, came about the rubbish fire inside the building in Albion Street at 7pm on Monday.

Watch manager Nick Ingham said: “We had a small fire in an unoccupied building. It is thought it was set deliberately.

“The fire service spotted it while we were on a familiarisation visit. The crews could smell it.

“It did not cause any substantial damage.”