A BLACKPOOL man was rushed to hospital with serious burns after a blaze tore through a house in Layton on Easter Sunday teatime.

Around 40 firefighters on seven fire engines battled fierce flames and thick smoke to reach a man trapped in his terraced house on Onslow Road at around 5.45pm on March 31.

George Ogilvie, 59, was rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital suffering from severe burns before being taken to the burns unit at Royal Preston Hospital.

A spokesman for the burns unit described Mr Ogilvie yesterday morning (April 4) as "stable".

Around 60 people were evacuated from their homes for two hours amid fears that the fire could spread along the shared roof space of the neighbouring terraced houses.

Nearby Westcliffe Drive was also completely closed off during the blaze and gas and electricity supplies to the houses were isolated by utility companies.

A neighbouring mum-of-two, who asked not to be named, said: "The house went up really quickly. It was frightening, but the fire brigade were absolutely excellent."

Mr Ogilvie's house was completely gutted by the blaze which police are treating as suspicious. Police and fire officers are investigating the cause of the blaze.

Neighbours said there had been a small fire at the house the previous afternoon, possibly caused by rubbish.

Firefighters from Blackpool, South Shore and Bispham stations joined to tackle the blaze and Forest Gate fire station commander Barry Shelmerdine said: "On arrival the first crews could see a very serious fire which due to its ferocity was visible flaming out of every opening from the property.

"It had also broken through the roof and could be clearly seen by fire crews from some distance as they approached the scene.

Neighbour Brian Moorhouse described the fire as "horrific" adding: "I did walk round the back and it was fully alight. All the top end was totally gutted. We saw flames going under the roof of the house on the left hand side so the firemen went in with their hoses on that side. As the night went on it was windy so there was smoke everywhere."

Mr Moorhouse said he had known Mr Ogilvie for about 15 years. He said Mr Ogilvie was married, but had separated from his wife around two years ago. "He kept himself to himself," he added.