A senior fire officer is appealing to residents to report deliberate firestarters and help them stamp out deliberate firestarting following a fire inGreenfieldwhich tied up crews for a number of hours.

Crews from Holywell,Flintand Deeside were called to the fire affecting three part constructed semi detatched unnoccupied houses onGreenfield Road,Greenfield, Flintshire at 05:19hrs this morning.

Firefighters used hose reels, main jets and breathing apparatus to tackle the fire. Crews from Holywell are still in attendance damping down.

The fire destroyed one house and caused severe damage by radiated heat to the second house. The third house was unaffected.

The fire is thought to have been started deliberately.

Paul Scott from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: " Deliberate fires cause a big drain on our resources - when crews are called to attend life threatening incidents such as house fires and road traffic collisions, appliances are not diverted from a deliberate fire, they are the next available fire appliance. This may involve a time delay which could prove fatal.

"We rely on parents and members of the community to work with us to drive home the messages on the consequences of deliberate fires - so we are appealing to the community to help ensure that the number of deliberate fires are kept to a minimum.

"I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to parents to be aware of the whereabouts of their children and impress upon them the message that deliberate fires endanger lives.

"Remember - setting fires is a criminal offence and we are actively working alongside North Wales Police to combat deliberate incidents, employing the police helicopter to pinpoint the fires and to look out for perpetrators.

"Anyone with information on such crimes is advised to anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."