A STAFFORDSHIRE bull terrier saved his owner's life as flames engulfed their home - by becoming a barking smoke alarm.

Chris Hayden, 23, of Holland Street, Accrington, said today: "If it wasn't for Oscar, I wouldn't have woken up. In another 10 minutes I would have been dead."

Both Mr Hayden and firefighters urged other residents to ensure they have a working smoke alarm rather than rely on a dog.

Mr Hayden, a builder for Blackburn-based Richardson Projects, had put some burgers on to grill, but fell asleep on his settee in the living room at 7.30pm on Sunday.

The next thing he knew, he was waking from a deep sleep half-an-hour later with 10-year-old Oscar, a cross breed who loves chewing stones and bricks, barking loudly and persistently in his face.

He smelled the smoke and dashed to the kitchen where several cupboards and the cooker were engulfed in flames. The fire was about to spread to the ceiling - which would have caused it to collapse and fall on Mr Hayden, had he not been woken.

He said: "I was tired because I had been out the previous night and just fell asleep. Oscar doesn't usually bark. It was very loud. He must have sensed it.

"I went into the kitchen but didn't realise how bad it was.

"I filled a bucket and threw it on the flames, then went upstairs to open the windows, which I shouldn't have done.

"The smoke was thick but I opened the windows and got out."

Neighbours had alerted the fire service. They arrived just as Mr Hayden had escaped.

Firefighters gave him oxygen and an ambulance took him to Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

He was allowed home later that night suffering the effects of smoke inhalation.

Mr Hayden said: "When I think that in another 10 minutes I would have been dead I just can't believe it.

"Oscar saved my life. It doesn't seem to have affected him. He is as friendly as ever."

Station Officer Colin Byers added: "It was another example of what could go wrong if people don't have a smoke detector, especially people living alone.

"The smoke spread throughout the house and if he had been upstairs there is a good chance he could have died.

"He had woken up coughing a couple of times but fell back to sleep. The dog saved his life."

Firefighters fitted two smoke alarms in the house. The fire left the kitchen badly damaged and the rest of the house smoke-damaged.