FIREFIGHTERS have hit out at "irresponsible" timewasters who put smoke bombs through the letter boxes of two homes in York.

Police are appealing for witnesses after smoke bombs were posted through the letterboxes of two houses. It is not yet known whether the two incidents were carried out by the same culprits.

At about 5.20pm on Tuesday the police and fire service were called to an address in Bell Farm Avenue to reports of a house fire, where people were believed to be trapped inside.

A fire service spokesman said: "When our crews got there they said there was no sign of fire and they requested the attendance of the police.

"If it was a smoke bomb then it was totally irresponsible. This was quite a big waste of our resources because we had to send a couple of fire engines and they were out for almost an hour - from 5.19pm until 6.04pm.

"We had to put another one on standby for York while they were out because with both fire engines out there was then no cover left in a big place like York. So this involved three engines."

He said the two which had had to go out to the smoke bomb were also the rescue pumps which have all the cutting gear in case there is a car crash.

He added: "It could have been disastrous if there had been a big car crash during rush hour and someone was trapped and needed to be cut free."

Then two hours later, at about 7.20pm, police were called to a house in Cross Ways, Badger Hill, where a smoke bomb had also been posted through the letterbox.

The fire service did not attend.

Police spokesman Colin Ventress confirmed that both incidents had involved smoke bombs.

He said: "No damage has been caused to either property but there is obviously some concern."

He said police did not know whether the two incidents were linked.

He said: "The two incidents were a long way apart but where do smoke bombs suddenly come from? It is most unusual."

It is not known whether the smoke bombs were shop-bought or homemade.

The devices fill the air with huge plumes of smoke when set off, but don't create flames.

Anyone with information should phone police on 0845 60 60 247.