Firefighters have slammed arsonists for putting their lives at risk after gas cylinders were placed on top of a small fire.

Crews from Hyndburn were called to Stonebridge Lane in Oswaldtwistle at around 7pm on Wednesday, August 10, but had to wait at a safe distance until the fire went out.

In a Facebook post, the station said: “Only a small fire but the person(s) who started the fire have put two LPG cylinders on it.

“Not sure if its intention is to injure us or make a big bang but very dangerous either way.

“We’re having to watch it burn out to prevent risk of injury to firefighters. All the time the fire engine and its crew are not available for other incidents.”