FIREFIGHTERS spent five hours tackling a blaze in the Ribble Valley last night.

Four appliances, a mobile fire station and an aerial ladder platform were drafted into the narrow lane in front of the five bedroom Whins Lane property in Simonstone, to help extinguish flames shortly after 8.45pm.

Fire crews from Padiham, Burnley and Nelson evacuated an elderly neighbour living next door for fear the strong easterly wind could spread the fire to neighbouring properties.

The blaze caused the entire roof of the two storey property to collapse, windows to smash and burnt debris to collect inside.

Firefighters said there is severe fire damage to the kitchen, dinning room, living room, bathroom and three bedrooms.

The remaining two bedroom have moderate water damage.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fires and Rescue Service said: “We received a call at 8.40pm about a chimney fire at a detached bungalow in Whins Lane, Simonstone.

“When crews arrived the fire had spread across the whole roof.

“Crews used an aerial ladder platform to spray water from above, while eight firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the blaze from inside.

“Fire investigators are currently looking into the cause of the fire, at this stage it is thought to be accidental.”