YOUTHS starting fires in derelict buildings are risking their lives as well as those of their friends, a spokesman for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has said.

This evening crews from Odsal and Bradford were called to the derelict Yorkshire Martyrs School, in Tong, to tackle another fire that had been started deliberately.

"It wasn't a big fire, just in one of the old classrooms, but it is probably children who are doing it and these buildings are not at all safe," said Odsal Watch Commander Abid Qureshi.

"I don't know how they got in because we struggled. The danger is that they may start a fire and not be able to get out. These places are not to play in. They are not playgrounds."

The callout was made at 7.50pm and firefighters had the fire under control within half an hour.