FIREFIGHTERS have hit out at youths putting a ‘strain on their services’ after crews were called to two deliberate fires within 45 minutes.

Barrow Station are increasingly seeing deliberate fires being started in the area, sparking concern in the community and among crew members.

On Wednesday evening, firefighters were called to two incidents in Walney and Hindpool involving deliberate blazes.

Barrow Station were called out to the first incident in Walney at 8.20pm after a group of youths were seen lighting handfuls of grass.

Crew manager Mike Wilkinson said the group were chucking the lit-up grass all over the floor as they were walking along.

He said: “There was a serious chance of this fire spreading because it has been extremely dry recently.

“If the fire had spread, it could’ve caused larger incidents and affected neighbouring houses, putting members of the public at risk.

“Fortunately, it hadn’t spread much when crews arrived.”

Crews were then called out to another incident just 45 minutes later after a fire broke out near Hindpool multi-games area in Blake Street.

Mr Wilkinson said youths had set fire to bushes in the area which firefighters were fortunately able to contain.

“It was quite a small incident only affecting three metres of bushes and luckily hadn’t spread any further,” said Mr Wilkinson.

The fire boss has issued a stern warning to any person considering starting a deliberate fire.

“These deliberate fires were started by unknown people for unknown reasons,” he said.

“These types of callouts put a strain on our services and crews who need to attend other incidents.

“All fires start off as small fires then have the potential to grow into large fires affecting significant areas.

“All our appliances carry CCTV that are recording all the time which we can pass on to the police.

“Hopefully this makes people think twice before deliberately starting a fire.”