Skelmersdale sports centre fire 'suspicious'

A large fire which broke out at a derelict sports centre in Skelmersdale is being treated as suspicious.

Fire crews were called to the former sports centre on Digmoor Road just before 15:00 GMT on Boxing Day.

Concerns over asbestos in the building led to local residents being advised to close their windows and doors but the risk was later found to be minimal.

Police are urging anyone who witnessed anything suspicious or has any information to contact them.

Det Con Graham Hunt, from West Lancashire CID, said: "By 8pm firefighters had the blaze under control and a joint police and fire investigation is now under way.

"Although the cause of the fire is still unknown at this stage we are treating it as suspicious."