FIRE chiefs today warned youngsters to stop risking their lives after a blaze at a car scrap yard.

An investigation is being carried out after the fire at Radcliffe's Auto Salvage, in Alan Ramsbottom Way, Great Harwood.

About 100 cars were destroyed in the blaze, which started about 2.50pm yesterday. Two engines from Great Harwood were called to the scene, followed by an extra one from Accrington when officers called for more help.

A plume of black smoke could be seen almost 10 miles away in Darwen. It took firemen about an hour and half to get the fire under control. They used four jets to put the flames out.

Sub-officer Gary Monk said: "Someone trying to start a fire in these cars could easily get trapped and we could have a fatality on our hands."