A MAN was fighting for his life today after firefighters pulled him from his blazing flat in Blackburn.

Michael Shillitoe, 51, of Aberdare Close, suffered serious burns in the fire, which started about 6.30pm yesterday.

Police say his condition remains critical and he has been transferred to Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester. His family have been informed.

Firefighters have praised the actions of two of Mr Shillitoe's neighbours, who struggled to free him before crews arrived, taking it in turns to run into the house with buckets of water and trying to pull the man to safety.

Both men were treated at the scene for the effects of smoke inhalation.

One of the neighbours, Steven Veevey, said: "We kept trying to move him but he was just too heavy for us.

"The smoke was so thick we couldn't breathe and had to keep running in and out, taking it in turns to try to get him.

"It was obvious he was seriously injured. He was lying there moaning at the top of the stairs but we just couldn't move him.

"He kept himself to himself a bit and I don't know him that well but I can't believe this has happened."

Leading firefighter Alistair Mclean paid tribute to the two men who had tried to rescue their friend, saying they "did a sterling job".

He said: "It's unfortunate that because of the situation in there they were unable to get him out but they did really well, especially with all the smoke.

"A crew with breathing apparatus found the man at the top of the stairs. The fire appears to have been mainly in the lounge area." The cause of the fire has yet to be established.

Mr Shillitoe is not thought to have had smoke alarms in his home and firefighters have appealed to residents to get alarms fitted.