EAST Lancashire fire chiefs today warned it was only a matter of time before pranksters "cost someone their life."

Accrington crews rushed out on Thursday at about 6pm to a reported fire at a empty house in Richmond Avenue.

The caller, who used a mobile phone, described the blaze before fire services sent out two pumps - only to find it had been a hoax.

Sub-officer Tony Spencer said malicious calls happen as much as once a week, adding: "These people are so very dangerous. It is only a matter of time before it costs someone their life."

Mr Spencer explained if there had been a genuine emergency in Accrington, crews from Blackburn or Darwen would have been drafted in.

And he warned: "If time was an issue, it could be the difference between life and death."

The firefighter said it also put other road users and fire crews in unnecessary danger by rushing to "fake fires".

Blackburn fire officer, Peter Turner, echoed his colleague's alarm after they also received hoax call about a 'fire' in Highercroft Road from a phone box at 1am today.

He said: "Time is so important and we need to highlight this is not a joke to us."

And police have reminded pranksters that a £80 fine can be issued and their mobile phone contract cancelled.

Sergeant Mark Sharples, at Blackburn Police, said: "We do not take cases like this lightly.

"People seem to need educating on how dangerous it is. Some are deliberate and some are just non emergency calls, both equally as time-wasting."