FIVE men, believed to be Chinese illegal immigrants, escaped a flat fire before fleeing with their belongings when police arrived.

Fire bosses say they believe a cigarette that had not been put out properly sparked the fire in the bedroom of a property in Burnley Road, Blackburn.

Firefighters were called to tackle the blaze, above a Chinese takeaway that was being refurbished, at midnight on Thursday.

The crew were able to extinguish the blaze but the bedroom of the properly suffered severe damage.

Watch manager Dave Forth said: "The men were out of the house when we arrived. They had managed to pack their bags and got their belongings together. They quickly dispersed when the police arrived.

"The men had been sleeping on three mattresses above the takeaway and we think a cigarette may have started the fire.

"An investigation is underway to establish the cause."

He added: "It is essential to make sure that cigarettes, pipes and other smoking materials are extinguished properly before they are discarded."

A police spokesman said they attended the incident and have launched an investigation.

The spokesman added: "We were called to the scene by the fire brigade after somebody noticed smoke coming from a window above the takeaway.

"Five Chinese men, who are suspected illegal immigrants, got into a car and fled as we arrived.

"The fire is not being treated as suspicious. We have launched an investigation to track down the men."