AN investigation has been launched into a suspicious blaze at a Burnley tattoo shop that broke out on the same morning it was due to open.

Firefighters believe fuel was poured through the letterbox at Acherontia, in Hall Street, and set alight at around 6.45am yesterday.

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The team of tattooists at the shop, Wayne Porter, Jason Riley, and apprentice Samantha Beedie, have now been forced to remain closed until work to clean up the mess has been completed.

Studio owner Wayne said: “They poured paraffin or something through the letterbox which set fire to the door mat. It’s only that that caught fire but the soot has covered the studio."

Mr Porter, who worked as a tattooist for five years before working to open his own studio, gave a statement to police yesterday morning and said he was confident the culprit was caught on camera.

He added: “There’s a lot of CCTV in the area. You can’t get to the street without being captured.”

Both the building and its contents are covered by insurance, and Mr Porter said he was hopeful the studio would finally open next week.

The shop has attracted almost 500 ‘likes’ on its Facebook page, which had posted preview pictures of the modern, bright interior.

A team of 10 firefighters from Burnley Fire Station used hose reels and breathing kits to tackle the blaze.

A fire service spokesman said: “Fire damage was caused to the door and frame but the rest of the shop was damaged by smoke.

“It looks like something has been put through the letterbox and set on fire. It’s being treated as suspicious.”

A police spokesman confirmed an investigation was under way.

Anybody with information about the incident can call police on 101, or report it anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.