Fire crews from Lytham and Wesham were called in after a blaze in an outhouse on Queensway in Warton.

Three homes were evacuated during the frightening incident on Friday night.

Last week, The Gazette revealed residents in nearby Butlers Meadow – just two streets away – had been plagued by more than a dozen suspicious fires since July.

Firebugs had torched wheelie bins and cars in the terrifying spate.

The latest fire, which destroyed the contents of an outhouse and 70 per cent of the building itself, was spotted by David and Ann Berryman who live next door.

Mr Berryman, 65, said: “When I opened the back door there was smoke gushing forward and flames inside the outbuilding.

“The firefighters told us to get out and well away from the house.

“There was a gas cylinder in the yard and tins of paint in the outbuilding. It could have spread to our house very quickly. Our back door is a bit black now, but we’re lucky there wasn’t more than smoke damage.”

Mrs Berryman, 57, added: “It was scary. We were panicking.

“I ran out of the house - you've never seen me run so fast. It could have been a lot worse, imagine if we’d been asleep.”

Support

One witness told police how they saw four teenagers dressed in dark clothing near to the scene prior to the incident at 9pm.

Sue Swift, area police inspector for Fylde, said: “The perpetrators are clearly in the community.

“Somebody in the local community must know who is behind these fires.

“We really need people’s support. I would ask anybody with any information to contact either the police or call Crimestoppers.

“I would also like to reassure residents CID are investigating these fires and would urge people not to take matters into their own hands.

“Our Neighbourhood Policing Teams are working closely with the local community and are available for people to talk to.”

Warton councillor Barbara Douglas added: “Whoever is doing this has no conscience and is putting lives at risk.

“We are having a council meeting tomorrow which the police are attending and I will be raising this as a priority.”

Call Blackpool Police on (01253) 293933 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.