FIRE chiefs today warned that lives were being put at risk by vandals who lit unauthorised bonfires.

The warning comes after crews across the county attended hundreds of calls last weekend.

Officers said the extra workload in the run-up to Bonfire Night was stretching resources to the limit.

Firefighters from Blackburn station were called to nearly 30 on Sunday alone.

Their colleagues at Burnley dealt with 32 over the weekend, while in Nelson there were 11 call-outs.

Accrington firefighters dealt with 17 bonfires and rubbish fires.

Blackburn Station Officer Tom Davies said: "We only have two appliances so it stretches our resources to the limit.

"If anything occurs in the Blackburn area while both of the appliances are in use we are dependent on crews from Darwen and Accrington coming out and that causes delays. It can put people's lives at risk." He said crews were being called out to bonfires at all hours of the day and night - meaning there was rarely anyone at the station to deal with real emergencies.

He added that few of the vandals seemed to be aware of the risks of bonfires to themselves and other people.

"The problem is when domestic and industrial property becomes involved. That is when people start to suffer," said Mr Davies.

"They don't seem to give a thought to where they are setting the fire - any space will do, regardless of whether it is two feet away from someone's garage or next to a gable end.

"My advice to anyone thinking of lighting a bonfire for fun is don't."

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