FIREFIGHTERS have issued a warning after a man burning cables to get to the copper wire inside caused toxic smoke to spread through a Leigh estate.

Crews were called to the car park of the old Wigan Road Labour Club, in Edna Road, at about 7.30pm last night.

A man was burning off the insulation of cables so he could sell the copper wire inside for scrap metal, and a concerned member of the public called the fire brigade after spotting thick smoke and flames.

Firefighters say there have been a spate of similar calls in the area recently, and are urging residents to think twice before setting things alight.

Watch manager Craig Cubbins, from Leigh Fire station, said: “This was creating lots of toxic smoke fumes, which is dangerous to the environment, hazardous to health and unpleasant for the people who live nearby.

“We gave fire safety advice to the gentleman and advised him not to do it again.

“Our safety message is for people to dispose of waste in a more responsible way.”