A DISABLED pensioner was rescued by neighbours after a massive explosion rocked the area and left next door engulfed in flames.

Crowds joined police and firefighters to break into the home of bed-ridden pensioner Ethel Watson and pull her free as fire ravaged a nearby lock-up in Marlborough Street.

The pensioner, 78, who was unhurt, was carried to safety at neighbour Robert Paterson's house where she spent the night.

Recovering from the ordeal back at home Ethel said: "I want to thank everyone who came to my rescue. I didn't hear the explosion and when I heard the banging on the door I thought it was burglars so I called the police. They told me not to worry and that people were trying to get in to get me out of the house.

"I can't get to the door myself so it's lucky there are people round here who cared enough to come to my rescue."

Emergency crews were called to Marlborough Street just before 1.30am yesterday after several members of the public reported hearing a loud explosion.

When firefighters arrived at the shop, used as a lock up to store furniture, they found the shutters blown out and the building well ablaze. Flames spread to the derelict house next door.

More than 20 fire crew battled to bring the flames under control and to evacuate neighbouring residents.

The cause of the blaze is now being probed by police and fire investigators to establish whether there was any criminal involvement.

Mr Paterson, 48, said: "Just after the explosion crowds of people come running up to Ethel's house and tried to break in.

"Everyone round here knows she is bed-ridden and it would have been impossible for her to get out by herself.

"Eventually the police managed to break the door down, carry her out and bring her here to spend the night.

I'm not sure she knew what was happening but at least she is safe.

"It was good to see there is some community spirit left with everyone mucking in to lend a hand and do whatever they could."

One of those involved in the rescue, Gary Lewis, 46, of Hollingreave Road, said: "Everyone was just desperate to get her out.

"We tried everything to break the door and the windows before the police managed to smash the door in. There were certainly a few boys with sore shoulders the next morning."

Assistant Divisional Officer Brian Cain, of Burnley Fire Station, said: "We received several calls from neighbours reporting a loud explosion and fire at the shop.

"The cause of the blaze is now being treated as suspicious and an investigation is continuing."

DC Tim Maddox, of Burnley CID, said: "At this stage it is too early to say whether there was any criminal involvement in the fire."

Safety inspections were yesterday being carried out by fire officers and local authority buildings inspectors to see whether the building would need to be demolished.