FIREFIGHTERS today praised a lifesaver who burst into a burning home in Burnley to rescue a woman asleep inside.

Wagon driver Michael Ashworth was returning to his home in Darnley Street after a shopping trip at 4pm yesterday when he saw a flicker in the window of the house opposite.

The 47-year-old went to the window, saw the fire and shouted to neighbours to call the emergency services before running in to rescue Shirlene Redman, who was asleep upstairs.

After Shirlene was out of the house the two attempted to rescue her Alsatian dog Rebel, who was trapped at the rear of the ground floor.

The dog was rescued shortly after by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus. It appeared unharmed.

Shirlene and her rescuer suffered minor smoke inhalation but declined medical treatment.

Mr Ashworth said: "I just went upstairs and woke her up because she was asleep. She walked down the stairs but then tried to go back in for Rebel.

"We went round the back to try to get him without success. But he seems all right now.

"I'm not a hero, I was just coming back when I saw something and went to see what was going on."

Station officer Neil Ashworth said: "Mr Ashworth did everything right and he definitely saved this lady's life.

"He did exactly the right thing by not attempting to tackle the fire himself. He just got the occupant out straight away.

"The fire started near the television and spread to videos which burn very quickly.

"He's done a good job because she would have been dead, there's no doubt about it."

Mr Ashworth said the fire had been caused by an ornamental tea light left near the television and that the situation was made worse because the smoke alarm in the house had no battery inside it.

He said: "We are going to increasing numbers of fires caused by ornamental candles, despite the fact that the manufacturer's state they should never be left unattended.

"Also, people need to have batteries in their smoke alarms because they save lives."

Firefighters were today planning to visit homes in the area to fit smoke alarms for free.

Mrs Redman was too upset to talk about her ordeal.