A MAN jumped to safety from the first floor window of a bed and breakfast in Blackburn after a blaze had trapped 13 people inside.

Five occupants, three firefighters and a paramedic were injured during the dramatic rescue at Jay's Properties on Bolton Road.

It is thought that all of the occupants were able to escape the fire, but firefighters were today continuing to search the premises in case any unauthorised guests had been staying there.

The fire broke out at around 2.30am this morning in an upstairs room of the terraced property.

Two engines were originally dispatched but as officers arrived at the scene they realised that a significant number of people were trapped inside the building.

Station manager Mark Alderson said: "There was a large number of suspected casualties and as soon as it became apparent that people were trapped a further four pumps came out.

"We realised very early on that this would be a significant rescue operation and that we needed to get these people out."

Firefighters had to rescue several people through first floor windows using ladders and several more were escorted out via the internal staircase.

One man jumped from a rear window and sustained a suspected fractured hip on landing.

Four residents were taken to hospital for minor burns and smoke inhalation.

A fifth refused hospital treatment.

The blaze was so intense that two firefighters received burns through their protective clothing.

Another firefighter and a paramedic were taken to hospital for somke inhalation.

Mr Alderson added: "Everyone that we believe was in the property has been accounted for.

"The fire was very intense. Most of the first floor has been destroyed and the ceiling has fallen through into the ground floor at various points.

"At this stage we do not know what caused the fire but a full investigtion is now under way."

* Full story in tomorrow's Lancashire Telegraph.