A FIRE has ripped through a terraced property gutting the home and blowing out the windows.

Three fire engines attended Curzon Street in Clitheroe at around 7.30pm on Saturday after a fire broke out at a house in the area.

Crews from Clitheroe, Great Harwood and Hyndburn attended the fire, and equipped with breathing apparatus and two hose reels extinguished the blaze.

A ventilation unit was also used to aid in ridding the property of smoke.

The occupier of the home had left shortly before the fire broke out to go the shops.

Melanie Byrne, who lives on the next street said she was alerted to the fire when she heard sirens.

She said: “I heard one siren, and then another and another.

“They normally fade out as they pass but these ones just ended so abruptly to I knew it was close by.

“I went out to go and see if I could help and I bought the lady a blanket as it was chilly outside.

“Her friend was there with here and luckily she said she was going to stay with her.

“She was very lucky to have been in the shop when it happened, if she had been in the house or in bed it could have been so much worse.

“Thank god nobody was hurt.

“Its nice to know there’s still a community spirit in times of need.”

Many concerned residents offered support to the woman in a Facebook thread written about the fire.

Hazel Watson said: "Thank god nobody was hurt or killed. Things can be replaced but a person cant."

A spokesperson from Lancashire fire and rescue said: “Three fire engines from Clitheroe, Great Harwood and Hyndburn attended a fire at a terraced property on Curzon Street in Clitheroe.

“Firefighters equipped with breathing apparatus used two hose reels and a ventilation unit to extinguish the fire.”