YOUNGSTERS in the Daneshouse area are causing a major headache for Burnley fire brigade.

Firefighters were called to the area several times last night including two incidents in which fires started in rubbish in back yards spread to the houses.

They also had to rescue a 13-year-old boy from the gable roof of a house in Grey Street.

It was the third time recently they have been called to the same house to rescue young boys who have become stranded 25 feet up after climbing steep stone supports to the gable wall.

Leading Firefighter Steve Harrison said: "Someone threw his shoe up there. He went up to get it but then couldn't get back down again. "As we were driving away they were going back up again.''

A rubbish fire behind a house in Daneshouse Road melted drainpipes but was prevented from spreading.

Shortly before 3am firefighters were called to Ardwick Street where a similar fire had got into the building even though the empty house was fitted with security shutters. Smoke from the fire spread into the house next door.

Firefighters who had to force their way in through the shutters warned that the fire could have spread to houses on either side causing danger to occupants.

Mr Harrison added: "It is a regular problem with much of it in the same area. It is idiotic really.''

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