FIRE chiefs have warned people not to dump rubbish on waste land after a fire in a derelict yard in Blackburn town centre.

Crews were called to land behind Cicely Motors, Cicely Lane where a large pile of rubbish, tree cuttings and tyres was ablaze.

Firefighters said the pile of rubbish had got so large that it took two fire engines more than 20 minutes to deal with the blaze.

The road was also sealed off by police as smoke, which could be seen across the town centre, drifted across the carriageway.

Fire crews are now warning people to use proper sites to dump household and garden waste.

Leading firefighter Dave Hilliard, of Blackburn fire service, said: "Fly-tipping causes serious problems for us in the town with people dumping rubbish on waste ground rather than using the proper council tips.

"If people need to get rid of waste like furniture they can call the council who will come and take it away, rather than leaving it anywhere which results in children setting fire to it."