A FIRE chief has urged motorists not to put lives at risk by parking irresponsibly after an engine on an emergency call was delayed because a car had blocked its route.

The vehicle was illegally left in front of a ‘Passing Place. No Parking’ sign in Gincroft Lane, Haslingden, and firefighters had to wait five minutes for the owner to move it.

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Haslingden watch manager Mark Hoyle says it was fortunate they were on their way to an unattended fire in nearby woods and warned other motorists to be vigilant and responsible about where they leave their vehicles.

He said: “Obviously it wasn’t a safety critical incident we were attending, but there are plenty of properties from where the car was parked to the woods about half-a-mile away.

“So potentially, and as far as the vehicle owner knew, it could have been far more serious and put someone’s life at risk.

“The car being there delayed us for about four or five minutes and because we had our blue flashing lights on the driver kept stalling the car because they panicked.

“It all would have been resolved had they not parked there in the first place. I’m asking is that people think about fire engines, ambulances and police vans when they park as it could be one of their neighbours or a family member who are denied urgent help.”

Mr Hoyle says fire engines across East Lancashire are regularly slowed down because of double-parked vehicles.

The latest incident happened last Sunday in woodland in Gincroft Lane and firefighters used water backpacks to put out the fire.