SEVEN children were saved from a potential house blaze by their 18-year-old sister who accidentally left a chip pan burning in the kitchen.

The teenager began heating the oil at 1am on Sunday at her home in Edleston Street, Accrington, after a night out but forgot about it as she watched television.

After the pan burst into flames the girl went upstairs to alert the other children from the bedrooms and escort them to safety.

Station officer John Pinner praised the teenager for her actions.

He said: "Although it is a typical tale of the dangers of chip pan fires, the girl has done the right thing by not tackling the fire and going straight upstairs to get everyone out. It was a very lucky escape and could have been a real disaster.

"We would reiterate the message that homes should be protected by fire alarms. We fitted two to this property before we left."

The kitchen was severely damaged by smoke and the cooker destroyed in the blaze.