A MAN was taken to hospital suffering from burns and smoke inhalation after a fire at his flat in Accrington town centre.

David Rafferty, 50, was rushed to Blackburn Royal Infirmary after the fire at his flat in Edgar Street in the early hours of Sunday.

Mr Rafferty's flatmate Mick Johnson, 40, escaped unharmed.

Fire fighters believe Mr Rafferty put the chip pan on the stove and then fell asleep in his living room.

He was alerted by his smoke alarm but burned his arms when he tried to move the pan.

Mr Rafferty then woke Mr Johnson who put out the fire with a wet cloth. The two men got out of the building and called the fire brigade.

Duncan Emmet, a sub-officer with Accrington fire brigade, said: "These two men were very lucky to have a smoke alarm installed.

"This incident has once again underlined the dangers of cooking with chip pans in the early hours of the morning."

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