A MAN was dragged out of his house unconscious by firefighters after his house was set on fire.

Fire crews were called to the scene in Lime Street, Great Harwood, at 7.45pm last night, and on arrival neighbours told them there was somebody trapped inside.

Firefighters with breathing apparatus went in and found the man collapsed in the living room, knocked unconscious from smoke inhalation.

He was carried out through the front door and given oxygen, before being taken by ambulance to Royal Blackburn Hospital.

An investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire, which is believed to have been deliberate.

Crews spent two hours putting out the fire, which left the ground floor and first floor bathroom badly damaged.