A SENIOR firefighter in Barrow has joined forces with police to condemn deliberate fires after youths started a blaze in a playground.

Station manager Roger Exley hit out after firefighters were called to a fire in Abbots Vale Park in Barrow.

Police said youths started a small fire using debris from the area.

Mr Exley said crews were also called to a deliberate fire started under a ramp at the former Atkinson Health Centre building in Market Street.

Firefighters and police are urging people to take steps to prevent deliberate fires by not put their bins out until the day of collection, and not to deposit any household rubbish into backstreets or open areas.

Police said they would have an 'increased presence' in the town head of bonfire night.

Roger Exley, Station Manager from Cumbria Fire and Rescue said: “We are urging people who live in the local area to be vigilant and report any build-up of rubbish.

“We also want parents and carers to know where their children are at all times and educate them about the risk of setting fires especially in built up areas, where the fires can spread.

“Cumbria Fire and Rescue is an emergency service and when we get called to these small malicious fires there could be a delay in responding to road accidents or building fires where people could be trapped.”

"Small fires can spread very quickly and what may have been intended to be just a small fire, or just a bit of fun, can quickly spread to become out of control."

Anyone with concerns about waste in their area can report them to streetcare@barrowbc.gov.uk or on 01229 876543.

Call police on 101.