FIREFIGHTERS in West Cumbria has issued a warning after a third deliberate fire was started, putting the community in danger.

Watch manager David McDowell, from Egremont Fire Station, has warned deliberate fire starters: “they are putting the community and surrounding area at risk.”

The warning comes as the station responded to the report of a fire behind the old Red Lion pub at 2.05am last Thursday.

When the crew arrived at the scene, they found a small rubbish fire, which had been started on purpose. David said: “On arrival someone had decided to ignite rubbish bags which they placed around a tree.”

He has issued a message from Egremont Fire Station to: “Please stop putting the community and surrounding area at risk.

“Please stop putting firefighters at risk, when we respond to an incident we can’t apply social distancing.”