THESE are the firefighters (above) whose lives are being put in danger by mindless, stone-throwing yobs.

The red watch crew from Blackburn is just the latest to be targeted -- prompting one fire boss to warn that the attacks are 'a murder waiting to happen.'

The latest attack took place in Flimby Close, on the Fishmoor estate, Blackburn, when red watch were stoned by a gang of teenagers after being called to deal with an arson attack.

The house turned out to be derelict, though fire crews had to search the premises as they feared children could be trapped inside.

Other recent incidents include youths in Accrington tampering with a fire engine attending a fire and a gang of 30 youths stoning a fire crew in Stoneyholme, Burnley.

Chairman of Lancashire's Combined Fire Authority Nikki Penney, has called for the people of East Lancashire to rally around the fire service and for zero tolerance against the gangs of youths, who are increasingly starting fires deliberately and then assaulting firemen or tampering with vital equipment.

Leading Firefighter Tony Crook, who led the crew to the Fishmoor arson, said the problem seemed worst on the Fishmoor estate, where dozens of empty houses are awaiting demolition.

He said: "There are groups of youngsters are treating the area as a playground, a very dangerous playground."

"These mindless yobs are putting their own lives and those of firefighters at risk."

Mr Crook said attacks on crews were becoming more frequent throughout the service, especially in built-up areas such as Blackburn, Burnley and Preston.

He said: "We seem to have trouble hotspots, where we get a group of youths who decide it's good sport to stone firefighters. Fortunately, no-one was injured this time, but it could happen."

Nikki Penney said: "I want people to start giving the police names and addresses of these people. These firefighters risk their lives for anyone and everyone daily and we owe them our loyalty.

"This sort of event is almost certainly a murder waiting to happen."

Local councillor Ashley Whalley also called on parents and residents on the Fishmoor estate to shop the teenage gang to police. He said: "This problem occurred about 12 months ago and we thought that, through working with the police and the council, we had managed to get rid of it.

"Unfortunately, the Night and Day shop was forced to close because of threats and it appears fire crews have become the new target."

Coun Whalley said most of the gang -- believed to be a group of about six or seven teenagers -- were known to police, but there was not enough evidence to arrest them.

A report to Lancashire's Combined Fire Authority last week revealed fire crews were increasingly battling against troublemakers.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service have issued a new poster aimed at reducing the number of hoax calls received. Last year there were 1,389 hoax calls to the service.

Fire Service spokesman John Taylor said they were working with the council to ensure hoax calls and arson were kept to a minimum.