FIRE chiefs have warned that deliberate fires are putting ‘a significant drain on resources’ after 11 call-outs inside 48 hours.

Burnley has been the worst-affected area, with crews relying on back-up from Nelson and the retained station in Padiham to cope with the incidents.

On Wednesday, crews tackled a tree fire in Grindleton Grove, Brunshaw, a bonfire in Moorland Road, Rosehill, another tree fire in Norfolk Avenue, Padiham, a skip blaze in Smallshaw Lane, Gannow, and a garden on fire in Pine Street, Fulledge.

The day after, they put out a rubbish fire in Nairne Street, Trinity, a bonfire in Healey Wood Road, Burnley Wood, and a garden fire in Cedar Street, Fulledge.

And yesterday morning, they dealt with two more bonfires in Fulledge, one at Fulledge Recreation Ground and one in Fair View Road, as well as a rubbish fire in Dean Street, Trinity.

Steven Morgan, service delivery manager in Burnley for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Great work has been carried out by firefighters to reduce the number of deliberate fires within the area and a rise in incidents of this nature puts a strain on valuable resources which could be required at incidents of a much more serious nature.

“We would ask members of the public to ensure rubbish is not left in rear yards and that wheelie bins are not left out in back streets to try and stop these types of incidents from occurring in the first instance.

“A rise in deliberate fires in the Burnley district is placing a significant drain on resources. Fire appliances within the district have required assistance from Nelson and Padiham crews in dealing with the spike in activity.

“During this period crews have encountered difficulties in accessing the location of the incidents due to the way vehicles have been parked.

“I would wish to take this opportunity to appeal to members of the public, in being mindful of the route that fire appliances would have to take in the event of an emergency.”