FIREFIGHTERS believe multiple blazes on a Burnley industrial estate this morning were started deliberately.

Two crews were called to a manufacturing firm on Chestnut Business Park, Smallshaw Lane, at 2.30am after reports that smoke was drifting across the M65.

They spent two hours preventing the fire from spreading to gas cylinders nearby.

Steve Harrison, watch manager at Burnley fire station, said: “A large amount of crumb rubber used for the manufacture of children’s play areas was well alight on arrival.

“A further two fires were within the immediate vicinity, one of which was in danger of impinging on a large bank of cylinders of flammable gas. The fire near to the gas cylinders was quickly dealt with, from a safe distance.

“The fire crews then spent almost two hours dealing with what was a difficult fire to extinguish. The smoke from this fire was drifting across the M65 motorway, and was called in from there.

“This fire is being investigated as a suspicious fire and inquiries will be continuing by the police and fire service.”

>> Did you take photos of the fire? Email chris.adams@nqnw.co.uk