Haslingden arson probe as man is pulled from blaze at home (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Haslingden arson probe as man is pulled from blaze at home

12:49pm Tuesday 17th January 2012 in Haslingden By Catherine Pye, Reporter

A MAN was pulled from his burning house after being overcome by smoke.

Fire crews were called to the mid-terraced house in Clegg Street, Haslingden, at 9.10pm on Sunday, after a neighbour heard cries for help.

Hyndburn crew manager Tom Ashworth said the man, in his 20s, had tried and failed to get out of a front window, and rescue attempts from a neighbour had also failed.

The fire started under the stairs in a rear, ground floor room.

Yesterday, police had sealed the front door with tape, and and an officer was keeping guard outside.

Mr Ashworth said: “When we arrived at the house we knew there was someone in there, but weren’t sure whereabouts.

“The smoke was very thick and low to the ground, so we had to use a thermal imaging camera to show that he was in the front room.

“The man was choking, and when you are overcome with smoke, it’s very easy to become confused and disorientated.

“He couldn’t find his way out so we had to lead him out.”

The man was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Fire crews remained at the scene for an hour to tackle the fire, the cause of which is still under investigation.

Mr Ashworth added: “The occupant of the house was alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm.

“It could have been much worse if there wasn’t a working smoke alarm, so I would urge people to check their’s regularly.”

A 22-year-old man from the Haslingden area has been arrested on suspicion of arson with the intent to endanger life.