A FIRE chief has made an appeal to vandals to stop life-threatening arson attacks.

The attacks have happened in a collection of streets at Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, where only five families live, waiting to be rehoused.

All the other houses in the area are empty and they have become a magnet for arsonists.

Every other day, firefighters put out blazes in the vacant buildings.

Tony Churchill, station officer at Grangetown Fire Station, appealed to the culprits, saying: "Be aware you are putting yourselves in danger. If you are not bothered about that, then please think about others.''

Councillor Chris Abbott, cabinet member for neighbourhood renewal with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said local authority workers were making daily checks on the families who are left behind.

He said: "We are extremely worried about the situation."

Coun Abbott said the houses could not be knocked down until elecricity and gas supplies had been cut.

He said: "The problem has been waiting for the utility companies to disconnect supplies to the properties so health and safety certificates can be issued to the demolition contractors.

"There are still five properties occupied. We are trying to help the people find alternative accommodation.''

He said he believed the arsonists were mainly young people from the area.

Coun Abbott said: "These people are putting their lives at risk. They are local youths. I think parents in that area need to ask themselves one or two questions about where their offspring are.''

Cleveland Fire Brigade has offered the remaining families smoke alarms and fire safety and escape advice.

Mr Churchill said: "If we are not there every day, it's every other day, and there has been an increase over the last month.

"The fact that there are some properties still occupied is of massive concern.

"The council are doing all they can in getting families out and the houses down, but there are still five families in there.

"It is also a big concern to us because of the drain on resources. If we are attending an empty property, we cannot be elsewhere where we may be needed to save a life."