A SUSPECTED arson attack that led to the rescue of a mother and baby from their smoke-logged flat was blamed on a stray firework today.

Sadia Bi, 24, and her two-month old son Shabab were pulled out fighting for breath after they inhaled smoke.

The fire on Pringle Street, Blackburn, started in the back yard but was so fierce it broke a ground floor window and sent smoke billowing into the family's corner shop and flat. They were treated for smoke inhalation at Blackburn Royal Infirmary and later allowed home.

DI Neil Hunter, of Blackburn CID, said: "We treated the fire as suspicious at first but now, because of the time of year, we think it was probably due to a stray firework.

"The family said they didn't know of anybody who had a grudge against them.

"Fire investigators said there was no evidence of accelerants used to light the fire and there was no evidence of a person having been into the yard.

"It could have been a discarded cigarette but at this time of year it was probably a stray firework. We are still investigating but we've scaled it down."

Station officer Andrew Barnes, of Blackburn Fire Station, said: "This fire could have had tragic consequences.

"When you using fireworks we advise having a clear dropping zone the size of half a football pitch around them.

"We would also ask parents to check their children don't have fireworks and that they're supervised by an adult at all times at all times when using them."