A BLACKPOOL man was rushed to hospital with serious burns after a blaze tore through a house in Layton on 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, Layton at around 5.45pm.

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 on Tuesday morning as "stable".

Around 60 people were evacuated from their homes for two hours amidst 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.

Mr Ogilvie's house was completely gutted by the blaze, which is thought to have started in the downstairs front lounge. Police are treating the fire as suspicious.

Firefighters from Blackpool, South Shore and Bispham stations used breathing apparatus, a large firefighting jet, two hose reels, two aerial ladder platforms and a high powered ventilation unit to tackle the fire. The incident support unit from South Shore fire station also attended.

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."