YOUNGSTERS are deliberately starting fires to lure fire crews into areas before hurling abuse at them, a fire chief revealed today.

Station Commander Mick Holmes says his crews are becoming the subject of torrents of abuse from rowdy youths who lie in wait for fire engines after starting blazes.

The Accrington Fire Station boss also reported several incidents where children had been spotted tampering with fire engines while crews were busy tackling blazes.

Now he has called on parents to keep a better watch over their children -- and asked members of the public to call the fire station if they know the names of persistent trouble makers.

He said: "We have seen the number of small fires, particularly rubbish fires, shoot up recently and we believe that there is a small group of youngsters who are responsible for starting the fires and then lying in wait for us.

"They wait there and heckle us while we are trying to deal with the fires and it is our concern that they situation may get worse, with their actions getting worse too." Fire crews have also spotted youngsters tampering with fire engines. In one incident last month, which turned out to be a hoax call, a child was seen playing with one of the wheels.

Some 19 small fires have been started in the Bold Street area alone in the past few weeks, prompting residents to call on the police to clamp down on local youngsters who are believed to be responsible for the crimes.

But Station Commander Holmes added: "The parents have to take responsibility for what is going on. Some of these fires are at 1am or 2am when children shouldn't be running around the streets.

"Accidents can happen when children play with the wrong type of substances and set fire to people's properties. If they material wasn't there in the first place, it wouldn't happen.

"If people want these fires to stop then they have to help us and let us know who is starting the fires. We believe a group of 12 to 16-year-olds are involved.

"If anyone knows who they are they should call us or CrimeStoppers."