Malicious call makers are putting lives at risk, fire chiefs have warned.

More than 20 firefighters were sent to two incidents last week that had been reported to them as house fires.

When they arrived there was no sign of flames and the occupiers had no idea why fire crews had been sent.

Gary Hargreaves, watch manager at Hyndburn Fire Station, said the malicious calls left them with no emergency cover if real fires had broke out.

He said: "On these occasions it leaves the whole of Hyndburn without any operational cover for any real emergency.

"It means other stations such as Blackburn and Padiham might have to then attend the real fires – and that’s if they aren’t already on jobs themselves.

"In the past it has led to people losing their lives."

Watch manager Hargreaves said a team of eight firefighters was sent to Hyndburn Street in Accrington at 11.45am on Thursday, May 31.

When they arrived expecting a house to be alight the female occupier who answered the door wasn’t aware of any issues or why the call had been made.

Thirteen firefighters attended William Street, Clayton-le-Moors on Friday, June 1, at 3.30am but there was no fire taking place.

Watch manager Hargreaves added: "On both occasions the numbers used to make the malicious calls have been recorded. An investigation is ongoing.

"This problem has reduced in recent years but we would like to eliminate it completely."