FIREFIGHTERS had to use equipment usually used at road traffic accidents to tackle a blaze.

Crews from Farnworth were called to a fire at the back of Hitchens in King Street this morning.

Arsonists had targeted a skip full of rubbish, which was pushed against the wall.

Equipment used to move vehicles in accidents was used to push it away from the building.

The firefighters were then able to get into the skip through a door and tackle the blaze.

The contents of the skip were destroyed in the incident.