Arsonists are being blamed for “pointless, deliberate” fires in Shrewsbury which could potentially take vital resources away from more serious incidents, endangering lives.

Fire service bosses made the comments after two rubbish bin fires were started within minutes of each other in the Castlefields area last night.

The first was started in Castle Court at about 8.52pm, and the second on nearby Castle Walk five minutes later. It is thought the same person or people were behind the two incidents.

Today Shropshire’s deputy chief fire officer Paul Raymond said such “anti-social” fires caused problems as they could spread causing more serious fires, putting lives in danger.

He said: “Even if they don’t spread it takes a fire appliance away from looking after lives in the town.

“These people that are setting fire to bins and rubbish are actually endangering other people’s lives.”

Watch manager Russ Hales, from Shrewsbury Fire Station, said one crew was sent to tackle the first fire, and within minutes a second appliance was sent out to deal with the second incident. Both fires were dealt with quickly.

Crews were also called to deal with a shed fire in Field Crescent, Harlescott, at 6.30pm, the cause of which is being treated as being of “doubtful origin”.

Mr Hales described the two rubbish bin incidents as “pointless” fires which wasted the time of firefighters.