A MAN who killed his ex-partner’s pet rabbits in revenge for being dumped has had a ‘very lucky escape’ from a blaze at his home.

Clifford Whitbread, 31, fell asleep next to a lit cigarette he had left in an ashtray on a windowsill at his home in Fairfield Avenue, Waterfoot, on Monday night.

The curtains caught fire, and firefighters said the decorator's head was inches from the flames when he was awoke by a smoke alarm.

Paramedics told Mr Whitbread that if he had remained asleep or had not had a fire alarm in his home, he may well have died.

Watch manager Tom Simpson at Rawtenstall Fire Station, said: “The man had a very lucky escape.

"The curtains were well alight when we arrived and he was suffering from smoke inhalation.”

Firefighters arrived within five minutes of the call and extinguished what they described as large flames.

The damage in the house was mainly smoke related. Mr Whitbread was not admitted to hospital.

Mr Whitbread is currently subject to an 18-month supervision order after killing two rabbits which belonged to his ex-partner back in December.

Last month at court it was revealed Mr Whitbread had twisted the heads of the two baby animals in front of a child as his former girlfriend had a lunchtime nap.

He admitted criminal damage and was made subject to the order, which means he is subject to a curfew between 7pm and 7am.

After the blaze, police had to be notified that he had left his home due to the electronic tag.