POLICE are investigating a suspicious fire at a new build house.

Firefighters from Hyndburn and Blackburn attended the severe fire at a three-storey townhouse on Norman Road, opposite Saxon Close in Oswaldtwistle at around 5.43am on Sunday June 30.

The fire completely destroyed the empty property, and will need to be knocked down and rebuilt as a result.

Nobody was injured during the incident as the house was still being completed, with a new kitchen recently added, but no furniture.

One Norman Road resident said: "The fire service had been there all day putting it out."

"It will probably have to get pulled down and the workers will have to start again.

"Luckily no one loves there yet otherwise there could have been injuries or worse."

Firefighters tackled the blaze for an hour, using breathing apparatus, a stinger and an air drone also deployed to check how far the fire had spread to the roof.

Ward Councillor Glenn Harrison said it was shocking.

He said: "I hope that there is some CCTV installed that could find any culprits if it is deliberate.

"It doesn't make it any less callous, as anybody could have been there and I hope it is dealt with in the harshest possible way.

"We are thankful there is no loss of life.

"I don't know how we can make the site more secure to prevent trespassing as it really is a loss to the community.

A spokesman for the fire service said: "Nobody was injured as the houses are newly built, but if anyone has any information, please contact the police."