SHOCKED school friends were today saying prayers for three sisters who died in a house fire which has left the community numb with disbelief.

Louise Waddington, 11, and her sisters Hayley, 10, and Gemma, seven, died when fire swept through their home in Hapton, despite the frantic attempts of their mother Jayne to save them.

Fire crews investigating the blaze in Lancaster Drive believe it may have been started by a faulty tumble dryer while the children's father was out at work as a taxi driver.

All three girls attended Padiham County Primary School where today children gathered for a special assembly to remember them.

Headteacher John Hughes paid tribute to the sisters and revealed that a permanent and fitting memorial would be put up at the school.

He said: "They were delightful children and their loss will be very keenly felt by everyone at the school.

"We will be trying to help everyone - pupils and staff - come to terms with this terrible tragedy."

The tragedy has touched the hearts of the community and friends and well-wishers have flocked to the house to pay their respects, many leaving flowers and cuddly toys.

Jason Morris, 32, a forklift truck driver who lives next door to the family said: "I was asleep on the sofa when I was woken by a torch shining in my face telling me to get out of the house. I couldn't see anything because the house was full of smoke and my nephew Corey was also asleep.

"When I got outside I saw them trying to revive one of the little girls in the garden, which was absolutely horrendous to see.

"They were such lovely little girls, they used to come round and play with my nephew and I used to pay them to clean the garden."

"Barry would have done anything for the children, he absolutely doted on them and worked night and day as a taxi driver to provide for them.

Burnley MP Peter Pike said: "Its a great tragedy and obviously my sympathy is with the family who are deeply upset. The whole community is in shock.

"Obviously there needs to be a full investigation to find out what caused it.

"The investigations are under way and they must be very thorough so we can find out the cause and try and stop a similar tragedy happening elsewhere."

Padiham Mayor, Coun Bob Clark, said: "The whole community is deeply shocked and stunned. Everybody's thoughts are now with the parents."

The fire broke out on the ground floor of the house just before midnight on Friday.

Mrs Waddington, 39, fought to reach her three children but was forced to escape by jumping out of an upstairs window.

Firefighters managed to reach the girls - one on the ground floor and two upstairs - but they died later at Burnley General Hospital.

Mrs Waddington was also taken to hospital after suffering burns to her hands and feet. She was kept in overnight, but has since been released.

She and husband Barry, a 40-year-old taxi driver, are believed to be staying with relatives.

Burnley Fire Station Commander Dave Jackson, said: "Following investigations carried out on Saturday the seat of the fire has been located where the tumble dryer was positioned in the kitchen.

"The appliance has been taken away for further investigation so we are unable at this time to confirm the specific cause of the fire.

"There were two smoke alarms in the property, but we believe they were not functioning at the time of the incident. This will also be looked at further as part of the on-going investigation."

Post mortem examinations were likely to be carried out on the three girls today and reports forwarded to the coroner.