THE FORMER caretaker's house of Barden High School in Burnley was left damaged by fire after it was targeted by arsonists.

Youths are believed to have got into the boarded-up property through a small opening in the boards, and set fire to carpeting on the first floor.

Firefighters were called to the unoccupied detached property in Heald Road at 2.15pm on Saturday, and the first floor was well alight when the crew arrived.

Two pumps from Burnley attended and firefighters used breathing apparatus and a hose reel to put out the flames, which left two square metres of timber flooring severely fire damaged, and severe heat and smoke damage to the rest of three first floor rooms.

Watch manager Pete Ashworth issued a stark warning to the arsonists.

He said: "These youths were really dicing with death - they got in through a small hole in a boarded up house.

"If the fire had taken hold quickly they could easily have been trapped and killed by it.

"We have a good idea of who the culprits are, and will be working alongside the local police speaking to people in the area this week.

"Should we find those who did it, their parents may face a fixed penalty notice for the offence."