A MAN jumped from a first-floor window to escape flames which had engulfed his home in Gannow Lane, Burnley, early today.

He was taken to Burnley General Hospital suffering smoke inhalation and shock after escaping the blaze from his terrace cottage, at 4.18am.

It is believed he was woken by a smoke alarm and made his way to the bathroom after being trapped upstairs by the thick black smoke.

Firefighters were alerted to the blaze by workers in a nearby factory who spotted the smoke and attempted to enter the cottage, but were overcome by smoke and fumes.

Fire crews searched the property for the occupant, but before they got to him he jumped out of a rear window and ran to the front of the house.

The fire started in the kitchen after the man fell asleep leaving a chip pan on. The kitchen was gutted and the rest of the house severely damaged by smoke.

Burnley firefighter sub officer Dave Robinson said: "When we got there there was a lot of smoke coming from the property and we had been told there was a man trapped inside.

"Thankfully he managed to escape but this proves smoke alarms are worth their weight in gold. If he had not have had one he could have been very seriously injured."

For a free fire assessment and smoke alarm call 0800 169 1125.