POLICE have named the middle-aged couple who died in a fire at Lamaleach Caravan Park, Freckleton on Wednesday (June 19).

Brian Drake, 61, and Jennifer Doris Trinder, 57, died as a blaze ripped through their static home at the site, off Lodge Lane at around 2.45am.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, although it is understood arson has now been ruled out.

Divisional officer Dave Paton of Lancashire Fire Service said the home was well alight when firefighters arrived and that it took 12 firefighters around 20 minutes to put the fire out.

He described the fire as a "tragedy", saying that it was believed there had been no smoke detectors in the home. He added how vitally important smoke detectors were for helping to save lives.

A Lancashire Police spokesman commented: "At the moment we have a joint police and fire investigation going on to establish the cause of the fire."

The blaze comes in the wake of the deaths of three brothers in a house fire last week.