ARSONISTS 'put lives at risk' after setting fire to a shop in Oswaldtwistle late last night.

The sounds of banging inside West End Convenience Store led residents to believe someone was trapped.

But firefighters discovered the noises were caused by exploding gas canisters, aerosols and lighters behind the counter.

This was not before one resident had broken into the building in a bid to launch a rescue.

He was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

The fire cast plumes of back smoke across the area around Blackburn Road at 11.10pm.

It drew a crowd of residents and last-bus passengers who were held up by a road block.

The family next door to the shop were evacuated.

Watch manager Phil Whittaker, said: “There was a lot of panic when we arrived.

"People were shouting and there was lots of smoke about.

"I would have put money on in that there were people in there.”

Advanced fire investigation officer Barry Hornsby said they worked quickly to prize the shutters open using specialist hydraulic cutting equipment while other firefighters forced their way into a side door.

He confirmed the fire was being treated as suspicious.

Sandra Rawstron-Edmondson, 46, of Blackburn Road, called 999.

She said: “I just heard a noise outside then I saw this black smoke and a few lads trying to get the shutters open.

"The smoke was really dense. I couldn’t speak it was toxic stuff.”

Davey Williams, 20, of Blackburn Road, said: “I could hear the banging from the back bedroom then I went to have a look. There was the biggest plume of smoke.”

Tracy Mooreland, 20, of Blackburn Road, said: “We first thought it was kids playing by the shop but then we saw the fire and ambulance and someone come out on a stretcher.

"The firefighters told us stay inside the house because of the smoke.”