FOUR siblings had to be rescued by firefighters after a house fire in Blackburn.

Two women had to be carried out by firefighters after they were overcome with thick black smoke at their home in Revidge Road, Blackburn at around 10.45am on Saturday.

The two sisters, aged 24 and 23, were seen hanging out of the window of a converted bedroom in the loft after the fire started in a first floor bedroom.

A 16-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man, who were on the ground floor, were also rescued.

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

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 and was caused by a incense burner falling into a bin filled with combustibles.