FIREFIGHTERS rescued a Burnley man from a fire at his home - after a smoke alarm alerted neighbours to a blaze in his bedroom.

Crews from Red Watch at Burnley Fire Station were called to a ground floor flat in Pleasington Grove, Brunshaw, at around 10.45pm on Saturday night.

Thick smoke logged the property and the householder was found collapsed behind his front door by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.

An investigation has begun into the cause of the blaze, which began in the bedroom but was thought to have been started accidentally.

Station manager Dave Jackson said: "This just reinforces the message that even a small fire can cause a great deal of smoke.

"The smoke alarms in this property were hard-wired to the mains but we would still urge people to check the batteries in their own alarms."

The man was treated at the scene by paramedics, for the effects of smoke inhalation, and was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital, where he was kept in overnight for observations.