A FIRE was burning for several hours within a Lancaster home before a passing police officer saw smoke and raised the alarm.

The bobby forced his way into the detached Kennedy Close property to ensure no-one was inside before fire crews arrived.

He was confronted by thick smoke and heat at the head of the stairs, and was beaten back by fire. He left just as fire crews arrived just after 10.30pm last Wednesday.

Two teams of fire fighters, armed with breathing apparatus and hose reels, tackled the first floor blaze.

Fire crews were at the scene for more than two hours but could not save the upstairs from being extensively damaged.

Station Officer Tony Burscough said the cause of the fire was being investigated but initial indications suggested it was sparked by an electrical fault.