FIRE chiefs have issued a stark warning to young arsonists on a run-down housing estate: "You are putting lives at risk".

The warning follows a spate of fires on Firthmoor, in Darlington, during recent months, with the latest blaze occurring in the early hours of Friday morning.

A derelict house on the corner of Carlton Moor Crescent and Forest Moor Road was targeted and set alight.

Firefighters spent about an hour tackling the blaze with the use of an aerial ladder platform.

They fear that constant call-outs to the estate for malicious fires are putting a strain on resources.

Divisional officer Ian Dockerty said: "When our crews are out dealing with fires like this, the lives of people caught up in real emergency incidents could be in danger.

"If another call was to come in at the same time, our resources would be tied up.

"We do take this problem very seriously and are working closely with police to try and prevent it.

"Anyone who is caught engaging in this type of activity risks arrest and prosecution."

Last summer, police pledged action to drive away youths from the derelict houses that remain on the estate.

They have renewed appeals for people to come forward with information which could help identify those responsible for the fires.

Inspector Sue Collingwood, of Darlington police, said: "Arson is a serious crime and can be dangerous, not only to innocent people, but those responsible.

"We would be very interested to hear from anyone who knows who is causing this problem on Firthmoor."

Residents on the estate have voiced concern about the time it is taking to demolish the remaining houses, which are being replaced.

Some have described parts of Firthmoor as looking "like Beirut" and have questioned whether a series of planned developments will ever get off the ground.

Darlington Borough Council said that the first phase of new housing development would start next spring.

It also said that it is still "full steam ahead" for plans for the estate, which involve the creation of a £2m school.