YOUNG arsonists who caused mayhem at a housing estate in Burnley have had their criminal behaviour extinguished.

Fire chiefs were able to target the Kibble Bank estate as part of a multi-agency clean-up operation.

The move was made following a jump in the number of nuisance fires in the area during this year alone.

Police community support officers provided intelligence to identify the most prolific suspected offenders.

Now several youths have been referred to the Lancashire brigade’s FIRES (Fire Intervention Response Education Scheme).

More than 400 homes were leafletted during the ‘Beatsweep’ operation, which was supported by Lancashire Police, Burnley Council and housing landlord Calico.

A county brigade spokesman said: “Kibble Bank was predominantly identified as having issues relating to anti-social behaviour.

“The fire service was able to target two neighbouring wards which have seen a high incidence of deliberate secondary fires this year alone.”

Extra advice on fire safety, to guard against accidental blazes in homes was also handed out to residents from a stand at the estate’s community centre.

The FIRES programme was launched at the start of last year.

It came in response to growing problems with the rate of deliberate fires and hoax calls, especially in East Lancashire, and takes referrals of four to 17-year-olds.

Firefighters work with those young people suspected of setting fires, in and around local communities, and also with those convicted by the courts of arson-related offences.