FIREFIGHTERS are aiming to create more awareness in the community in a bid to prevent further tragedies after a 24-year-old man died in a house blaze .

Zahid Mohammed was pronounced dead at the scene after firefighters discovered him in a house in Belfield Road, Accrington, which was owned by his parents .

Police investigating the blaze believe Mr Mohammed, who lived in Royds Street, Accrington, died as a result of a discarded cigarette.

The house where he died had a smoke alarm fitted, but there were no batteries in it.

John Taylor, spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue, said today that 17 people died in Lancashire last year as a result of house fires, seven of those smoking-related.

He said, "The blunt truth is that it is a habit which can have the direst of consequences not just in view of medical conditions.

"If people introduce a naked flame into a home environment, especially these days when there are a lot of combustibles around, there are going to be problems.

"Before items are consumed with fire they produce a volume of toxic smoke but nine times out of 10 it is the smoke itself that results in death by leading to asphyxiation."

Mr Taylor said people needed to be aware of the possible danger of house fires and how to respond. He said people should:

fit a smoke alarm and check it once a month as well as changing the battery at least once a year

plan an escape route from the house and ensure it is clear

make sure everyone in the house knows exactly what to do should a fire break out

He said, "People have to think of those sombre things before it happens to them. They need to know how to respond and have to think about the consequences and plan ahead."

This year, four out of 19 fire deaths have been attributed to smoking and others are still being investigated. In each of these deaths there was no working smoke alarm.

As a direct result of the blaze which killed Mr Mohammed, Accrington Fire Station will open its doors to offer advice and guidance to residents.

Sub officer Gary Ibbitson said firefighters usually targeted areas after such blazes, holding drop-in centres close to the scene. As this incident occurred near the Fire Station in Manchester Road residents are being invited to attend there.