FIREFIGHTERS have issued a warning after a blaze was sparked by burning old furniture at a fast food shop.

Crews from Blackburn's fire station were alerted after the wooden bric-a-brac was set alight in Whalley New Road just before 5.30pm.

But the discarded furniture had been left leaning against a nearby flat, which was left severely smokelogged.

Firefighters tackled the flames and used a ventilation unit to clear the affected flat.

Then it took around an hour to cut away part of the roof to ensure that the fire had been fully extinguished.

The roof was then fitted with sheeting to protect the property from the elements.

John Riley, crew manager, said: “There are no specific laws against having a bonfire – but there is legislation dealing with the nuisance they can cause.

“You should never set fire to materials that are placed against a property.”

Householders have been urged to contact the borough council to consider safer recycling options.