A RESCUER has told of his horror as he tried to help a 23-year-old dad engulfed in flames in the street outside his home.

Shane Hunter, 21, ran to the rescue after he and his girlfriend heard screaming and breaking glass outside their house in Princess Street, Great Harwood just after midnight on Sunday.

Parvez Hussein Shah, 23, who lives a few doors down from Shane and his 16-year-old girlfriend Fiona Lawrie, suffered 75 per cent burns and later died in Withington Hospital.

Shane said: "We heard a window smash and a man screaming. He was on fire and there was nobody around to help him.

"I grabbed a blanket and tried to put him out. I got him to open the door and got him in the house. I ran back to our house to get my mobile phone.

"He must have been burning for about three minutes before I got out there and put him out. It was a devastating thing to see and it is terrible that he died."

Police have set up an incident room in the town and still do not know whether Mr Shah's death was suicide or murder. They have yet to interview several of Mr Shah's relatives and other members of the public.

Detective Inspector Bob Webster said anyone with information should call Great Harwood police on 01254 884800.

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