IF carried out, there might be a blessing in disguise in the threat by fire crews to let houses burn on Blackburn's notorious Fishmoor sink housing estate if they come under attack from yobs deliberately setting them ablaze so they can hurl stones at the firefighters when they turn out.

For, eventually, this urban hell hole might be destroyed by its own spawn and they and their feckless parents are required to clear off.

Meantime, as taxpayers fed up of pouring money into that black hole hope for that eventuality, might not the firefighters be allowed to fight back against the predatory scum who think it's fun to hurl stones and bottles at members of a life-saving public service?

For if they are to turn their hoses off when yet another ex-council house is torched for the amusement of these anarchic gangs, might they at least be permitted to turn them on again and direct them straight at these dangerous yobs?

The water would not be wasted, I'm sure. For not only would it give these louts a well-deserved and salutary soaking, it would give many of them the first good wash they have had in a long time.