FIRE and police officers are calling for parents to help them tackle young arsonists in Pendle after a fire in disused timber yard.

It is believed youths started the fire at the former Lamberts timber yard in Nelson yesterday after they became bored. In March, another serious fire was deliberately started at the empty building off Kensington Street.

The fire started at about 11am and damaged a quarter of the building.

Station Commander for Nelson, Nick Isherwood, said residents were told to keep doors and windows closed because of asbestos on the roof.

He said: "The fire was started deliberately and it is probably down to youths. With it being a bank holiday they probably don't have anything else to do.

"It is the second quite serious fire we have had there and there has been numerous smaller fires in the past 6 months.

"Once again as we approach the summer months the message is for parents to bear in mind their responsibility and make sure they know where their kids are, and warn them of the dangers of fire."

Karen Fitzpatrick, Local Authority Liaison Officer for Pendle Community Support Partnership said they would be working with several organisations, including the fire service and education service to educate children about the dangers of fire.

She said: "We have reached that time of year when the days are long and kids get bored.

"We don't want young people to think we are against them, but they need to be aware some of their behaviour is dangerous to others and themselves. We are asking parents to be more conscious of what their children are doing."

Sylvia Wilson who lives in Kensington Street said the building was a target for arsonists.

She said: "I could hear these loud bangs and I though it was fireworks. I came out to see what was happening and the place was on fire. Now it is empty it is a bomb waiting to explode."