CHILDREN are risking their lives playing on roofs which have been the scene of a number of serious accidents.

Two years ago, a girl was left paralysed when she fell through the roof of a building at the SailSport Industrial Estate, off Thornaby Road, Thornaby, Stockton.

The girl fell 18ft on to concrete when the roof of the garage she was standing on collapsed.

Her serious injuries have failed to deter youngsters from clambering on roofs on the industrial estate.

So far this year, firefighters have been called to help two boys, aged 12 and 14, who fell through roofs in separate incident.

Thornaby fire chief Ian Dunning said his firefighters would not attempt to tackle the roofs without special ladders.

"They don't realise how fragile the roofs are. They are asbestos," he said.

"We wouldn't go up there without the chrome ladder. The problem is if you've got one person falling through a roof on his own, nobody else knows where they are.

"The last one had his mobile so he rang us, then his mother.

"His mother was astonished that he'd been doing things like that."

Fire officers believe the children reach the roofs by climbing on a lean-to.

The owners of some buildings on the estate have agreed to erect signs and barbed wire fences to deter youths.

As well as putting themselves in danger, the children have been warned they are also endangering the lives of those who come to rescue them.

Station Officer Dunning said: "The firefighters don't know what they're going to face on entering a building.

"It could be a body. The 12-year-old was lying in a pool of blood, and there was blood all over.

"You always expect the worst until you get closer and realise they are still alive. We do what we can, and then wait for the paramedics."

Mr Dunning is urging parents to talk to their children about the dangers of exploring deserted buildings.

He said: "You've got to remember that kids are not as responsible as adults.

"It's an adventure to go and climb on a roof, but it is a dangerous game."