HOMELESS victims of the Grenfell Tower inferno could be given short-term accommodation in East Lancashire.
The leaders of Ribble Valley and Pendle Councils have offered to find temporary accommodation to survivors of the London fire if they are prepared to move north.
Burnley and Blackburn with Darwen boroughs are also ready to help if asked in the aftermath of the blaze in Kensington, which killed at least 79 last week.
Their offers came as the government announced that Grenfell Tower fire survivors are to be rehomed in a nearby housing development where prices start at more than £1.5million.
Cllr Ken Hind, new leader of Ribble Valley Council, said: “We realise how devastating this situation is for the homeless victims of this fire some of whom have also lost family members and others who are seriously injured.
“We recognise that it will take up to two years for Kensington and Chelsea Council to house all 400 homeless victims .
“If every local authority that has temporary accommodation or nomination rights to new homes offers two families the opportunity for a new start we will be able to house all the victims very quickly and make life so much better for them.
“We appreciate that we in Ribble Valley are a long way from London where many will want to remain.
“But we feel if we can help those who have lost everything for a number of months, while new homes are built or found in London, we show that we are a caring society, which can assist those whose lives have almost been destroyed in this dreadful fire.”
Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, leader of Pendle Council, said: “If any of the survivors of the Grenfell Tower disaster wish to come and live in lovely Lancashire, even for a short time, our borough would be happy to help as we did with refugees from the Syria conflict.”
Cllr Phil Riley, deputy leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “We have a long record of opening the doors of our borough to those in need and would respond appropriately to any request.”
A Burnley Council spokesman said: “If we were to be approached for help by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, or any other relevant London authority, we would of course seek to help in any appropriate ways that we can.”
Ian Clark, from Together Housing Group, which provides social homes in in Rossendale, Pendle and Blackburn with Darwen, said: “Like any housing association, we are happy to work with council partners to discuss how we can assist in meeting the housing needs of people who wish to move into the region.”