FIREFIGHTERS have issued a warning after they were called out to tackle two rubbish fires in the same night.

Crews were called to Warwick Road in Hag Fold, Atherton, at about 8.30pm last night to reports of a man burning wooden fence panels in a metal brazier.

He did not have any means of extinguishing the fire, so firefighters put it out.

Then, at 3am this morning, the crew were called to a block of flats in The Pewfist in Westhoughton.

A controlled rubbish fire, again in a brazier, had been smouldering for several hours and while it was well away from the rear of the building again the person who lit it had no means of extinguishing it.

Watch manager Dave Holden said: “Controlled burning is about being considerate of other people – if you are going to do it, make sure you are well away from houses and fences.

“Only burn organic materials in very small quantities, so the fumes are not toxic.

“However, we always say it is preferable to bag up your rubbish and take it to the tip.”