AN investigation has been launched after an East Lancashire man died suddenly while on holiday in Turkey.

Sean Breslin, 37, who was hailed a hero after rescuing a family from a house fire four years ago, was staying in the Turkish resort of Marmaris when he died in the early hours of Sunday.

His wife Helen has flown to the resort and embassy officials have launched an inquiry into the circumstances of Sean's death.

Sean, of Laburnum Street, Haslingden, rescued a mother and her two young children who were trapped in their smoke-filled home.

He and his brother Tony put ladders up to a bedroom window to pluck Angela Mailly, her toddler son Declan and daughter Naomi to safety.

The rescuers grabbed ladders from a nearby workshop as the terrified mother screamed for help at a front bedroom window of the house in Parkinson Street, Haslingden, in November 1998.

Today, a spokesman for the Foreign Office said they were aware of the incident and were offering support to Sean's family.

A spokesman said: "We can confirm that Sean Breslin died while on holiday in Marmaris on September 15.

His next of kin have been informed and our staff out there are ready to offer any help they can to his family.

"An autopsy was due to be carried out to establish the exact circumstances of how Sean died."

A spokesman at the British embassy in Ankara added: "This is a very unfortunate event and a very sensitive time for the family.

"We are aware of the death, but would prefer not to give any details until the investigations into the death are complete."

Grieving family and friends gathered at the Haslingden United Trades Union Club, Church Street, on Sunday to remember Sean.