A FIRE was started near elderly people’s housing in Darwen on Friday night.

Firefighters discovered a burning wheelie bin and rubbish on land between Lightbown Street and Clover Terrace around 8pm.

Watch manager Alistair McLean said officers spent 45 minutes tackling the blaze.

He said used buckets of water because the area was difficult to access, and added: “Kids have campfires there, they take bins round, set fire to them and drink.

“There are houses at the side of it and sheltered accommodation with elderly people in, and power lines above the trees as well.

"It’s dangerous. I don’t think they realise what they are actually doing tying us up on that job.”