A 56-YEAR-OLD woman was taken to hospital with 25 per cent burns after running into the staff room of a nursing home engulfed in flames.

The patient at Crawshaw Hall Nursing Home in Burnley Road, Crawshawbooth, remains in intensive care at the Royal Preston Hospital following the incident at 3.15am today.

The nursing home confirmed it had launched an inquiry into the incident and officers from Pennine police have also been called to investigate.

Officer Nick Clough, of Burnley Fire Station, was among crew called to the scene.

He said: "We are still trying to work out what happened but staff said the woman came running into the staff room in flames.

"She was the only thing on fire. They dragged her to the ground to smother the flames. She received 25 per cent burns and was taken to hospital.

"A small piece of carpet was damaged in the incident."

The woman was treated by paramedics and taken to hospital.

John Bullock, manager of the home, said the complex houses elderly people with dementia and other mental illnesses.

He said: "We are holding an investigation into the incident.

"We're very sad to hear about this but we're dealing with it at the moment and cannot say any more at this stage."