FIREFIGHTERS have issued a stern warning to arsonists who set fire to rubbish in a stairwell and left a 71-year-old pensioner requiring hospital treatment.

Crews from Darwen were called to a block of flats in Ellenshaw Close at 12.20pm yesterday and found the man wandering disorientated on a smoke logged landing.

A spokesman for Darwen Fire Brigade said the repercussions of the incident could have been far more serious.

He went on: "The man was disorientated and anything could have happened while he was wandering about.

"The fire had been deliberately started and I would just like to warn people to think about what they are doing.

"Their actions could have cost someone their life."

The man was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary for a precautionary check up.

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