A TERRIFIED man was rescued from the roof of his home after climbing through a skylight to escape a fire.

The 26-year-old was forced to flee his attic bedroom after the blaze broke out in a bedroom on the floor below, and his exit was blocked by flames and thick smoke.

He climbed out of the skylight and onto the roof of the terrace house in Blackburn Road, Accrington, and climbed onto the ridge tiles.

Firefighters from Accrington put up a ladder to the roof and brought him down to safety.

His mother and younger sister had managed to escape, also unharmed, through the front door after the fire broke out shortly before 11pm on Tuesday.

It is believed the blaze was caused by a candle.

Mohammed Bibi, who works at and lives above a nearby newsagent's, said: "We heard all the fire engines and smelled smoke so we opened up the shop door to see what was happening.

"The mum came into the shop, crying and scared because her son was trapped in the house.

"She stayed in here a few minutes until the ambulance came."

Another worker at the shop said: "They are a good family, who come in most days to buy a paper and things.

"We were sorry that this happened to them. They've lived in the house all their lives I think."

A worker at a nearby petrol station said: "It's a shame.

"They're a nice family who come in a lot. When I arrived at work I got a shock to see the burnt-out house."

A section of Blackburn Road was closed off while three fire crews fought the blaze, and the next door neighbours were evacuated.

The mother went with her son by ambulance to Royal Blackburn Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

They were both discharged yesterday morning, and are believed to be staying with family as the house is severely damaged on the first floor and the roof.