THREE young sisters died today after a blaze swept through their home in Padiham.

Eleven-year-old Louise Waddington, 10 year-old Hayley Waddington and Gemma Waddington, seven, were in the modern terrace house in Lancaster Drive, when the fire is believed to have started just after 11.30 last night.

Neighbours were alerted to cries for help from the girls and their mother who tried in vain to get them out of the house.

Mother Jane Waddington managed to escape by jumping from an upper window of the property before emergency crews arrived.

Fire crews rescued one of the girls from the downstairs of the property and two from the upstairs.

First aid was given to the children and they were taken to Burnley General Hospital, but were dead on arrival.

Jane Waddington was treated for minor burns to her hands and feet.

Neighbours said Jane was a housewife and her husband Barry a taxi driver who was working at the time of the blaze.

The girls were all pupils at Padiham County Primary School.

Police, who were continuing their investigations today, described the incident as a terrible tragedy.

Two fire crews from Padiham and one from Burnley attended the scene on the housing estate off Manchester Road.

They spent three hours there and the whole house was badly damaged by fire and smoke.

Det Chf Insp Tony Ronnan, from the Pennine division of Lancashire Police, said: "The fire brigade was called after cries of help from the mother and children were heard from the house. It is a dreadful thing to happen to have anyone die, but particularly three young children.

"To lose a family is unthinkable and is impossible for most of us to imagine."

Inquiries are continuing into the cause of the blaze but it is not thought to be suspicious.

A spokeswoman for Lancashire Fire Service said: "One of the children was found on the ground floor and two were found on the first floor.

"The mum made a really heroic attempt to save her kids but she just couldn't manage it. It's a tragedy."

Neighbours were today waking up to the tragedy. A large area surrounding the house has been cordoned off by police tape.

Mother-of-four Maureen Harwood, 45, who lives on Lancaster Drive, just a few doors from the scene of the blaze, travelled with one of the girls in the ambulance to hospital.

She said: "They were three beautiful little girls. Jane and the girls' dad Barry are both devastated. They can't believe what has happened. None of us can. It is such a tragedy.

"I was in bed at the time. I heard my name being shouted and someone banging on my front door.When I came out, the air was thick with smoke.

"It is a really close-knit community and everyone knew the girls. It has affected everyone terribly.

"It is a bad nightmare and I am still waiting to come out of it. My heart goes out to Jane and Barry."

One elderly woman, who asked not to be named, said: "It's absolutely terrible. They were three lovely little girls."

Ward councillor for Hapton with Park, John Harbour, said: "This is a terrible tragedy for three girls so young to die in such a tragic way. My heart goes out to the family at this sad time."