A ELDERLY man was taken to hospital on Saturday night after a fire ripped through his home in Padiham .

The fire started in the living room of the mid-terraced property in Station Road, next to the police station, before spreading to the kitchen, dining room and bedroom. It then tore through the roof.

Fire crews from Burnley, Padiham and Accrington attended the blaze at 11.45pm.

Sub-officer Peter Kelly said: "The fire was so intense that we didn't send anybody inside the property. We had to tackle the fire using ladders and the aerial ladder platform.

"The main cause of concern for us was to stop the fire spreading to the police station and the neighbouring house.

"The house and the storage unit below, which was full of furniture and antiques was gutted. After an investigation the next day, we found the fire was probably caused by a plug socket that was overloaded with plugs for the TV, video, Sky, and a lamp.

"The man was taken to hospital. He had suffered a few burns and smoke inhalation."