A FIRE chief has issued a stark warning after a Christmas tree caught fire at a flat.
The blaze, which is being treated as an electrical fire, happened on Commercial Street, Oswaldtwistle, at around 1.30pm today.
Crews from Hyndburn and Blackburn managed to put out the fire, which caused smoke damage to the flat, within five minutes.
The owner of the flat was out at the time of the fire.
Stephen Horrocks, crew manager at Hyndburn fire station, said the fire was most likely caused by Christmas tree lights plugged in near the tree.
He is warning people about the importance of turning off Christmas lights if they go out of the house.
He said: "The same applies when people go to bed and they should avoid getting cheap lights online and buy them from a reputable retailer."
Cllr Peter Britcliffe, who represents the Oswaldtwistle ward on Lancashire County Council and is a member of the Lancashire combined fire authority, added: "I have no idea about the circumstances of the fire but I know Christmas trees can be a hazard and should be switched off when you're out of the house or go to bed in the evening."
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