PETROL pilferers started a fire which damaged a Ford Transit van and spread to the side of a house in which a man was asleep.

But for alert neighbours severe damage could have been caused, fire officers have warned.

Firefighters immediately smelled petrol when they were called to the incident in Rossendale Road, Burnley, at 1.50am today and after putting out the fire discovered that someone had disconnected the fuel pipe from the vehicle.

Leaking petrol had trickled down to the garage doors and set alight.

Leading Firefighter Chris Haworth said: "It would seem the most likely cause was someone trying to syphon petrol from the van.

"They have disconnected the hose from the tank underneath. petrol has leaked slightly on to the floor and then trickled down towards a piece of carpet next to the doors which has then set alight.

"We don't think the fire was started deliberately but obviously it is a highly flammable substance and was probably ignited by a spark."

He added: "They are unlikely to be injured and no doubt scarpered when the fire began. There was a man in the house but not close to where the fire was. Fortunately a neighbour alerted us at an early stage and we got there before the fire broke through."

Police are also investigating the incident.