FOUR people had to be rescued after a house fire in Blackburn. 

Firefighters rushed to the scene in Revidge Road, Blackburn at around 10.45am on Saturday. 

Two firefighters were sent into the house which was filled with thick black smoke after the fire started in a first floor bedroom. 

Two women, aged 24 and 23, who were in the converted bedroom in the loft at the time, were carried out of the house by firefighters. 

Two boys, aged 16 and 20, who were on the ground floor were also rescued. 

All four siblings were treated for smoke inhalation while the two sisters and 20-year-old man were taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital. 

Acting crew manager Danny Gorton said two crew members - Ally O'Donnell and Gordon Edmondson - were sent into the building under emergency deployment procedures, which is more risky for the firefighters but is a decision made when there is someone visible inside the building. 

He said: "On arrival when our crews went in there were two males on the ground floor of the property. 

"A ladder was put up outside the property ready to bring the girls down, but a decision was made to take them out the quickest and safest way which was to carry them down the stairs and through the front door. 

"The fire was confined to the bedroom on the first floor, but thick black smoke had filled the whole of the first floor and loft area. 

"Three casualties were taken to hospital after first aid was given by paramedics and fire crews. 

"Three crews attended and we were there for about three hours carrying out investigations." 

Mr Gorton said they believe the cause of the fire was accidental.