A SEVEN-year-old boy was taken to hospital for precautionary checks after a house fire in Walter Street, Oswaldtwistle, this morning.

Fire crews were called at 10.45am after a fire began in a settee, before spreading to carpet and a fireplace.

The boy had experienced slight smoke inhalation, but was not thought to be seriously injured.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We will be going back to the street this week to offer home fire safety advice and free smoke detectors to neighbours.”