A PROBE has been launched after a blaze left two Rossendale firefighters fearing for their lives.

The Fire Brigade Union is investigating the fire at Whitworth Civic Hall in December in which Bacup firemen Andy Jones and Tony Greenwood were injured.

The officers, both 35, suffered burns under their protective tunics, caused when sweat turned to steam.

The union will look into whether it was an accident or if there was any shortfalls in the equipment and clothing.

Any possible legal action and compensation claims will be discussed after the investigation is completed.

Steve Harman, FBU secretary for Lancashire, said: "Obviously there are accidents involving firefighters and health and safety is generally pretty good, so when something like this happens it needs to be looked at.

"In this instance, two firefighters were committed into the building, which could well have been standard practice but they ended up with scald burns.

"I haven't come across injuries of this nature before so we need to find out why this happened.

"All the equipment from the incident has been impounded and will be looked at as part of the investigation, which is at a very early stage."

John Taylor, spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue, said: "I can confirm two firefighters were injured in the fire at Whitworth Civic Hall.

"Given that there is an investigation to be completed into those circumstances, and given that there is an on-going action, we cannot disclose any further details at this time."