FIREFIGHTERS have warned arsonists that they are putting lives at risk following a number of deliberate rubbish fires over the weekend.

Crews from Blackburn were called out to five incidents late on Saturday and in the early hours of Sunday of bins and bags of rubbish being set on fire across the area.

The fire service said the incidents were reported in Corporation Park, Newfield Drive, St Marys Wharfe and Kirby Road in Blackburn.

Although nobody was injured, firefighters warned the incidents take up valuable time and could be putting lives at risk.

A fire service spokesman said: “It’s really stretching our resources. Someone has been going about deliberately setting rubbish fires.

“It might just seem like small bits of rubbish and bins, but these incidents take up our valuable time.

“We were called out to five incidents in total, all across Blackburn.

“We’re having to send crews out to these incidents when there could be serious fires going on with lives at risks.

“People need to be aware of the consequences.”

Investigations are ongoing to find the culprits and fire chiefs say they have images of someone they believe to be responsible for some of the blazes.

Councillors have hit out at the actions of those responsible and urged them to think of public safety.

Cllr Suleman Khonat, who represents Shear Brow and Corporation Park on Blackburn with Darwen, said it is very concerning behaviour from people in the area.

He said: “It is very disturbing that people have been acting this way.

“For there to be five incidents across the borough in one night it is startling, it’s a big worry. With anything related to fire you need to be extra careful.

“It might start out just a small fire but you don’t know what could happen next, it could easily get out of control and put people in danger.

“It’s been great weather and lots of people will be out in areas like Corporation Park especially, starting fires is dangerous.

“People need to be vigilant, if they are out and they see anything, they need to report it as soon as possible to try and prevent it as soon as possible. It’s really concerning behaviour.”

Cllr Hussain Akhtar, who also represents the area, warned how the warm weather could mean fires could be more dangerous.

He said: “I’ve had residents come to me with concerns about how dry some of the grass is around Corporation Park, saying it could easily catch fire.

“The most important thing is to make sure everyone is safe, we have to look after each other.

“Anyone who knows of any issues needs to be reporting it to the appropriate people.”