FIRE chiefs have criticised fly-tippers after more than 200 tyres abandoned at the side of the road were torched.
The blaze, which broke out at just after 9pm yesterday, could have resulted in a major environmental disaster in the nearby River Calder, according to fire bosses.
Station officer Steve Cope said the pollution from the tyres and foam used to treat the blaze could have killed hundreds of trout in the river.
An investigation was set to be launched today along with police and environmental health officers after the pile of tyres was abandoned at the side of Rectory Road and Holme Road, Burnley.
Station officer Cope said dozens of calls had been recieved about the fire which could be seen for miles around. He added: "We will be contacting the environmental health department and the police to try and find out who dumped these tyres.
"The blaze was a major fire and caused major smoke pollution.
"There are trout which live in that river and the pollutants would have been disastrous for them because someone failed to dispose of these tyres properly."
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