ARSONISTS are risking their lives in a "potential death trap" by targeting a derelict former Bradford school, the fire service has warned.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has joined forces with its blue light partners to issue a "strong wake-up call" to youngsters thought to be behind a number of fires at the old Yorkshire Martyrs Catholic College site in Tong.

The action comes after a spate of deliberate fires in recent months, with crews called out ten times since March.

Seven of the incidents were in August alone, with fire chiefs suggesting the pattern may indicate the activity becoming a "holiday high jinx for foolhardy youngsters."

WYFRS has said it is arranging a multi-agency meeting to discuss what further steps can be taken, and confirmed it is also in contact with the site’s owner.

The former Roman Catholic school closed in 2010 after a restructuring by the Leeds Catholic Diocese. The diocese was given permission to demolish the buildings in 2015, but before they were torn down, the site was sold to Liversedge-based Apollo Beds.

The most recent incident at the site was on Thursday night, when two fire crews were called to respond to a small secondary blaze.

Assistant district commander for Bradford, Mick Fox, said: “We cannot stress strongly enough how dangerous it is to enter this derelict site and the recent spate of deliberate fires leaves us with the pressing concern that it’s only a matter of time before there is a fatality here.

“Sites like this are potential death traps to young people, who possibly, spurred on by bravado, are taking reckless actions and making bad decisions, and we urge parents to step in now if they have their suspicions, because the distress of losing a loved one like this is a terrible thing to bear.

“There are all sorts of hazards including the danger of structural collapse and firefighters themselves are risking their lives to respond to unwarranted fires.”

To warn of the potential dangers, WYFRS highlighted an incident from earlier this year in which 14 year-old Myles Johnstone died in a fall at a disused building near Kirkstall, Leeds.

In June, a 12-year-old boy was injured at a disused factory in Armley, and in May, a 13-year-old boy was hurt at a derelict building in Garforth.

Andrew Simpson, a sector commander at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: “We would urge young people to think very carefully about just how dangerous derelict buildings are and the consequences that their actions could have for them and their families.

"As we have seen this year, entering such sites can very quickly turn into tragedy and we would encourage young people to keep themselves safe by staying out.”

Chief Inspector Mick Rutter, of Bradford District Police, added: “We take all reports of arson very seriously and those who are found to be involved in such incidents can expect action to be taken against them.

“People who start fires in abandoned or derelict buildings might not think they are causing any trouble, but not only are they committing a serious crime they are putting themselves and others at risk.”

In 2015, fire crews were called to 36 arson incidents in derelict buildings across the Bradford district, with the figure rising to 40 the following year.

Up to the end of July this year - not including any of the fires recorded at Yorkshire Martyrs in August - crews had already attended 36 incidents where fires had been set deliberately.

Councillor Abdul Jabar, Bradford Council’s executive member for neighbourhoods and community safety, said: “Derelict buildings are not playgrounds they are potential death traps.

“We should ensure that children are aware of the dangers and are encouraged to stay well away from them."