CHILDREN have been warned to stay away from empty buildings as they are putting firefighters at risk.

Firefighters went to a blaze at a former doctor's surgery in Blackburn Road, Accrington, following a report that there may be people inside the boarded-up building.

Three crews from Hyndburn and Blackburn were sent to the scene.

It was later discovered that the building, was "derelict".

But while a firefighter was checking inside the empty house he sprained his ankle and had to be taken to hospital.

Watch manager Phil Whittaker said: "The building was well alight when we arrived and we didn't know if someone was still inside.

"One of my firefighters injured his foot, possibly where some of the floor boards had been removed by kids.

"It turns out that he has sprained his ankle.

"When we turn up somewhere and see evidence that there may be people inside I have to commit my firefighters to a search operation.

"This is often in difficult situations where floorboards have been taken up and bannisters have been removed, as well as it being in the dark and scattered with debris.

"With this being a former doctor's surgery there was also evidence of sharp items and needles, which all add to the danger.

"We had to have three engines there because we thought there might be people inside so it is also stripping Hyndburn of its emergency services."

Mr Whittaker added that the blaze was being treated as suspicious.

"There were obvious signs that people had been in there drinking,"he said.

The ground floor of the building was badly damaged by fire and there was heat and smoke damage to the first floor.