16-year-old arrested on suspicion of arson after fire breaks out in garage

Emergency services were called to Granville Street in Colne at around 1.30am on Friday, after receiving reports that a garage was on fire and had spread to neighbouring buildings on Skipton Road, one of which contained suspected acetylene cylinders.

Image: LRFS

Initially, multiple fire crews, including firefighters from Nelson and Colne, were sent to the incident because of the suspected nature of the cannister contents and concerns around whether residents in the area would need to be evacuated from their homes.

Following inspection, no evacuation procedure was deemed necessary but fire crews did remain at the scene until around 8am on Friday.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: "We were called at around 1.13am to a fire involving a single storey outbuilding measuring approximately 25m by 25m.

"On arrival it was found that the fire had spread to an additional three buildings and somewhere in one of the buildings were two oxyacetylene cylinders.

"A cordon was put up around the cylinders and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used four jets to extinguish the fire.

"A ground monitor was also in use to assist with cooling the cylinders.

"Skipton Road was closed by the police at 2am but was re-opened at 8.05am."

Police have now made an arrest in connection with the incident.

A spokesperson for the police said: "A 16-year-old boy from Colne has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and arson endangering life."

One fire engine remains at the scene while the acetylene cylinders are cooled.

A joint investigation is now underway, the council have arrived to inspect the structure of the buildings, and a further investigation will take place at 10am.