A MAN has been released without charge after a severe fire broke out at a house causing injury to three people.

A 50-year-old man, from Blackburn, was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, arson, endangering life, but was later released. Lancashire Police do not believe the fire to have been suspicious.

Two brothers rescued three of their siblings from the fire on East Park Road in Blackburn, which took hold on Monday at 10.15pm and went on until 3am.

The fire broke out in the top bedroom of the house where the two disabled sisters were asleep along with their four-year-old brother.

When the family heard screaming, they rushed to find the upstairs on fire, which very quickly spread to the whole house.

The oldest brother could not find his way out and was forced to jump down, resulting in burn injuries to his shoulder, back and feet.

Neighbours were quick to offer their support as they stood outside the house, with one family taking the family in while they waited for an ambulance.

Cllr Hussain Akhtar, for Shear Brow and Corporation Park, said: “I want to say thank you to everyone. Everyone was there from about 10pm, for nearly eight hours. 

“They did their job so fantastically well. They came so quickly. They managed to put the fire out.”