FIREFIGHTERS have been praised for their valiant efforts over the past fortnight after dealing with a series of serious blazes in the town.

Crews were called to one of the biggest fires in Warrington's recent history last Tuesday as the former Mr Smith's night club went up in flames in the early hours.

Seven youths were arrested on suspicion of arson but have since been released on police bail after firefighters from across Cheshire were called to the scene on Wilson Patten Street.

Before that emergency services were called to tackle a blaze at the PQ Corporation factory close to Warrington town centre on April 9 and a suspected arson attack on BT Skip Hire near Winwick Road on April 11.

In the last week firefighters also extinguished a deliberate barn blaze in Moore last Thursday and a serious house blaze in Chapelford on Saturday which has left a family home completely destroyed.

Sean Henshaw, group manager for Halton and Warrington praised the way firefighters battled to get the three deliberate fires under control in the town.

He added: “The firefighters involved in putting these fires out did a fantastic job.

“They contained the flames and prevented spread to surrounding buildings.

"The crews showed high levels of professionalism and expertise and worked diligently, for many hours, to put these fires out.

“Sadly all three of these incidents (Mr Smith's, the Moore barn blaze and the BT Skip Hire fire) are believed to have been started deliberately and this sort of behaviour is not acceptable."

Bosses at Cheshire Fire have now moved to reiterate their warning over setting fires in the hope of preventing any further incidents.

Mr Henshaw added: "Deliberate fires puts the lives of the firefighters at considerable risk and can spread very quickly.

"They also take up a lot of valuable time and resources.

"The public can work with us to prevent fires like this by being on their guard and reporting anyone they see lighting fires.”