Police are appealing for information following a house fire in Lancaster which police believe may have been started deliberately.

On the evening of the 24th November, a fire started behind the front door of a house on Holden Way, which is off Ashton Road – and police are appealing for information to try and establish the circumstances.

It is believed the fire would have started sometime between 7.30 and 11.30pm.

“Fortunately the fire did not spread and was limited to the hallway,” said DC Dylan Hrynkow. “Police treat all offences of this nature extremely seriously and I would appeal to anyone who may have been in the area at the time to contact police if they remember seeing anyone acting suspiciously in the area.

“In particular, we would appeal to a man who believe may have been walking his dog along Holden Way around the time, we are also led to believe this man may have been noticeable as he was smoking a pipe. If this was you, please contact police – you could have information that is vital to the investigation.”

• Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting reference number BA1203926. Alternatively, information can be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or on-line at Crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.