Arson investigation underway after two vacant houses destroyed by fire

Police are looking into a series of deliberately lit fires that destroyed two vacant houses in Launceston in the space of just 24 hours.

Firefighters were called to the properties on Invermay Road in Mowbray and Box Street in Mayfield just over 19 hours apart last weekend.

The Invermay Road property was engulfed by fire around 4:40am on Friday, while the Box Street home was completely ablaze at 11:55pm on Saturday.

A third property on Mayfield Street was also extensively damaged by fire around 10:40pm on Saturday.

Initial investigations by Tasmania Fire Service and Tasmania Police indicate that all three fires were deliberately lit.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.