FIREFIGHTERS praised the action of a youngster who led his brothers and sisters to safety after a blaze broke out at their house.

Steve Ryan, sub-officer at Darwen, said the boy, aged about 11, managed to get his three younger brothers and sisters out of the house, in East Street, Bank Top, Blackburn.

The fire started in a downstairs room, which had been converted to a bedroom, while his parents were out. The boy then dialled 999.

The Darwen crew attended as Blackburn were out on another incident.

Sub-officer Ryan said the fire broke out when the youngest child was playing with a lighter in the bedroom.

The fire, which broke out on Monday at around 7.45pm, quickly took hold and was only noticed when it was well alight.

Mr Ryan said: "The three-year-old boy didn't tell anybody at first but when it was noticed the older brother got everybody out and called us. He did everything right.

"It emphasises the need for smoke alarms and the supervision of children.

"Smoke detectors would have given earlier warning to the fire.

"The need to keep children away from lighters and matches is obvious."

The bedroom was destroyed in the blaze and the rest of the house damaged by heat and smoke.

Nobody was injured in the blaze.