A MOTHER is in a 'critical' condition with severe burns after a cigarette caused a fire in her bedroom, fire services said.

Dorothy Clarke suffered serious burn to the chest, neck and face in the fire at her home in Coal Clough Lane, Burnley, last night.

Paramedics found the 67-year-old at the bottom of the stairs and were trying to drag her from the property when firefighters arrived.

She was treated at the scene for her injuries before being taken to the intensive car unit at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Mrs Clarke was then transferred to a specialist burns unit in Wakefield where her condition is said to be 'very critical'.

Her son, who was downstairs, managed to avoid serious injury.

The fire, which spread to the two adjoining houses, left one bedroom, the bathroom and landing severely damaged.

The remaining two bedrooms were slightly smoke damaged and there was water damage to the downstairs.

Fire crew manager Matt Armstrong said: "When we arrived the fire was already well alight, with flames coming out of the windows.

"The lady was at the bottom of the stairs, overcome by smoke, so we charged in to get her out immediately.

"A firefighter and paramedic gave her first aid and she was conscious when she left in the ambulance but had quite serious burns.

"The fire was quite severe, and had gone up into the roof space."

Fire investigators, at the scene yesterday morning, said the evidence indicated the fire was caused by a cigarette. Burnley station manager Dave Jackson said: "There is a very strong likelihood it is related to smoking.

"It started in the bedroom after she had retired for the night.

"The most likely cause is smoking related and we would warn people to not smoke in bed.

"There were smoke detectors but no batteries in them."

Crews from Nelson, Accrington and Padiham attended the fire as Burnley firefighters were out at Manchester Road pumping water from a property after heavy rain.