TWO dogs have died in a house fire in Clitheroe.

Fire crews attended the blaze in Turner Street, Clitheroe, shortly after 11pm on Tuesday, following reports that people were trapped inside the terrace house.

A fire service spokesman said crews found no people trapped in the house on arrival, but two dogs had been killed.

The two neighbouring houses were evacuated by firefighters, who feared the fire would spread.

Neighbour Dawne Snape said she was awakened shortly before midnight when her daughter started coughing.

She said: “The little one started coughing and I could smell smoke.

"I opened the window and the smoke billowed in.

“It was terrifying, at first I thought it was my house then I heard the commotion outside and realised it was the house on the corner.

“I went down and rang the fire brigade, but they were already on their way.

“Thankfully the family got out alright.

"They had three or four dogs and I think they were killed, the poor things.”

Ms Snape said she and the neighbouring family were instructed to leave the houses by firefighters.

She said: “They asked us to leave in case it spread.

“They were worried about the cars catching fire and it spreading along the street.

“Luckily it didn’t and we were allowed back in at about 1am.”

Ms Snape said the family are currently staying with a family friend as the house is uninhabitable.

She said: "They haven't been back since we were all brought out.

"I believe they are saying with the son's girlfriend."

A fire service spokesman said the cause of the fire is still being investigated.

He said: "The house has been boarded up following the fire.

"The cause is still being investigated.

"We will not be able to release anymore information until the log from the actual incident is updated."