A FIRE chief today said he would leave buildings burning on a Blackburn housing estate rather than risk his crews being attacked by gangs of youths.

Police are giving fire crews escorts on to Blackburn's Fishmoor estate following a spate of arson attacks on empty houses, started by youngsters to lure the fire service to the estate.

Once on the estate, the crews are pelted with bricks, rocks and milk bottles by gangs, some of whom are only10-years-old.

The warning from station officer for Blackburn Kevin Gibson came as the housing association in charge of the estate, Twin Valley Homes, revealed it had to move a frightened pensioner from her home in the area -- only for her house to be torched, too.

Mr Gibson said: "We are obliged to attend a fire. But if my crew are coming under attack, I will order them to leave the building to burn rather than risk their safety unnecessarily."

Since the beginning of the week, crews have attended seven arson attacks on empty homes in the Flimby Close area of Fishmoor, formerly the Roman Road estate. Crews have been attacked by yobs every time.

Many houses in the area are being redeveloped under a regeneration scheme byTwin Valley Homes, which took over the estate from Blackburn with Darwen Council last year.

Mr Gibson said: "We have spoken with Twin Valley to see what they can do to help but I have to think about my crew's safety once we are up there.

"Every time we are called, we ask for the police to try and keep the gangs away from us. Sometimes they cannot attend immediately, which leaves us vulnerable and isolated. If a house is burning but my crew cannot do their job safely, then we will order them out."

Mr Gibson added: "One of the officers was lucky not to be hit by a milk bottle. We think the fires are being started to lure us on to the estate. Some of these children are as young at 10. They should not be out that late at night. Parents need to think where their children are and what they are doing."

"Their actions could not only injure us but kill someone involved in another fire elsewhere in the area."

Aidan Fortune, acting station commander at Blackburn Fire Station, added: "It is a situation we can't allow to continue. These youngsters are even trying to disconnect the hoses from hydrants.

"When inside a house fire, the only protection our officers have is water. Lives are being put at risk and if they are put under undue pressure, we would rather leave a house burning, provided there isn't anyone inside, than risk our officers because of these youngsters."

Phil Richards, Chief Executive of Twin Valley Homes, said: "We are acutely aware of the situation and have been working in close co-operation with the police, fire service and contractors.

"Work continues to make the site more secure and steps are being taken to restrict access to the area for the safety of residents.

"A number of our staff have been monitoring the site until the early hours, but the actions of irresponsible individuals could be putting lives at risk, even their own.

"A pensioner who lived near one of the houses set on fire, has been so frightened by the event that she has been moved to other accommodation for her safety. Since then her property has been fired, causing major disruption and upset.

"It is important the local community supports us and the emergency services to combat these criminal actions."

Chief Inspector Neil Smith said police would provide the fire crews with cover, although he warned it could be a drain on resources.