YOUTHS who set fire to derelict buildings are putting their lives and the lives at firefighters at risk, according to a fire station chief.

Peter Fraser, watch manager at Hyndburn fire station, issued the warning after a fire in a end terraced property in Percival Street, Accrington, on Monday.

Crews were called to the derelict house at approximately 7pm after smoke was seen coming from the property.

Mr Fraser said: "Smoke had spread to other derelict properties and we will be passing this on to the police in an attempt to find who was responsible.

"We were there quite some time and some one could have been injured all for the sake of children messing around and setting the building on fire."