FIREFIGHTERS were called to two derelict properties next to each other which were set ablaze on Saturday night.

Crews went to a house in Walmersley Road, Bury at 6.45pm which had been targeted by arsonists.

Later that night, at 9.50pm, they were called to a larger fire at the house next door, which had also been deliberately set alight.

The second blaze, which was started in the roof of the three-storey town house, tied up crews for several hours.

It required the presence of three fire engines and the aerial platform.

Watch commander for Bury fire station, Steve Wilcock, said: “The houses are very dangerous because there are holes in the floor and sharp objects like drug needles in there.

“The people who are starting these fires are dicing with death and putting firefighters at unnecessary risk. It also puts a drain our resources.”