FIRE chiefs have issued a double warning after fire destroyed the upper floor of a house in Accrington.

Fire crews said five-year-old Tyler Chapman started the blaze by playing with his mum's cigarette lighter in his bedroom at the Richmond Road house.

When the fire spread to the curtains he raised the alarm and he and mum Kelly Mooring, 28, brother Brendan, seven, and uncle Peter Mooring, 27, managed to escape unhurt at 9.10am on Saturday.

But sub-officer Gary Ibbotson of Accrington fire station said the incident highlighted the need to have proper smoke alarms fitted and to keep children away from fire hazards.

He said: "The upstairs of this house was in a pretty sad state -- it was very badly damaged by fire and smoke. Although the youngster raised the alarm fairly quickly when the fire spread to the curtains and the occupants managed to get out unhurt, the damage to the house could have been much, much less. The smoke alarm could have given them, and us, an extra two minutes which can be vital.

"They had bought two smoke alarms but had not yet had them put up. We'd like to stress to anyone that if they ring their local fire station, an officer will come around and carry out a safety assessment and fit the smoke alarms free of charge."

He said the incident should also be a reminder to parents not to let their children anywhere near lighters or matches in the home.

He said: "Can we remind parents not to let children have access to cigarette lighters or matches and to keep them out of their reach at all times."

Any parents with children who had a tendency to play with fire, he said, could again telephone the local fire station and arrange for a visit by an officer to deter them.

"We have something called the Fire Awareness and Children's Education scheme FACE. An officer will call to the parent's home and talk to the child about the dangers of playing with fire. It could help prevent a tragedy."