A PERSON had a ‘lucky escape’ after a house fire in Blackburn overnight.

The occupant of the house on Longton Street was sleeping at the time the fire started, but was alerted by a neighbour and managed to escape.

The fire is believed to have been started deliberately and an investigation has been launched.

Three fire engines from Blackburn and Hyndburn were at the scene for over an hour tackling the blaze which started in a front porch.

Watch manager Steve Hartley said the fire could have had “far greater consequences” if a hallway door, which was closed, had been left open.

He said: “On arrival firefighters were confronted with a front porch on fire but luckily the occupant had been alerted by a neighbour and was out of the property and free from harm.

“Fans were used to remove the smoke from the house and the electricity board had to be called to isolate the supply from outside after the main intake had been affected.

“The occupant was asleep at the time, but had a lucky escape as there was no working smoke detectors in the property.

“The hallway door was closed protecting the escape route from the effects of fire.

“If this door had been left open, before going to bed, the incident could have had far greater consequences.

“The cause of the fire is of a suspicious origin and a joint investigation by the fire service and the police is being carried out.”

Mr Hartley stressed the importance of getting a smoke alarm and said you are more than twice as likely to die in a fire at home if you have not got one