FIREFIGHTERS had to tackle two fires, which were deliberately started by yobs within minutes of each other.

They were called just after midnight on Tuesday, November 13 to a skip fire on open ground near Borough Road.

Flames were leaping two feet above the lip of the skip, when they arrived. Minutes later the same crew from Parr Stocks Fire Station had to put out a fire in a wheelie bin in an alley a few streets away in Maxwell Street.

Crew manager Chris Allan who attended both call outs said: “As soon as skips are full, owners should contact companies to get them removed to reduce the risk of these types of fires.

“We issue this advice when we are on the streets but this is one example of what could happen. Although this was not near a building, these types of fires can pose a risk to people and property.”