Emergency services were called to a property in Buckshaw Hall Close, Astley Village, just before 5pm on Monday after neighbours spotted 30ft flames coming from a back garden.

Dozens of local residents watched as 15 firemen from Chorley, Bamber Bridge and Leyland tackled the blaze for around an hour after flames engulfed a garden shed and fencing just a few feet away from neighbouring homes.

Local resident and former parish councillor Rod Fraser snapped these dramatic pictures after he smelled smoke at his nearby home.

He said: "I was at home and could smell burning grass. At first I thought it was someone having a barbecue, but when I went outside I could see plumes of thick black smoke. As I got closer you could see that it was just six or so feet from houses leading to fears it could spread.

"Destroying a fence, shed and placing lives at risk, the flames engulfed the area and at one stage were up to 30ft high."

Firefighters had to go into the burning shed after reports of someone trapped inside – but soon realised no-one was there.

A police spokesman said: "The incident is being treated as arson. Our investigations are ongoing. If anyone has information they can contact us anonymously on 0845 1 253545."