A MAN returned home from work to be met by a wall of fire and smoke after his flat was torched by arsonists.

Fire officers believe something was put through the letter box which started a fire in the hallway of Darrell Connachan's home in Heather Bank, Rawtenstall.

Sub officer Nick Clough said: "This was a pretty serious incident.

"Had there been anyone in upstairs, and particularly had there been anyone asleep in bed, I hate to think of the consequences." CID officers were today investigating the incident.

Mr Connachan returned home at about 8.30pm.

Mr Clough said it was believed whoever was responsible had probably started the fire by putting something through the letter box only a short time before.

He said: "Someone delivered something through the letter box.

"At this stage we are not sure what it was.

"All I can say it that it was not a firework.

"Luckily, there was no-one in at the time, otherwise it would have been a very different story.

"The stairs and hallway, which were on fire, were the only way out."

Mr Clough added: "When he returned home from work and opened the door a lot of smoke hit him.

"There was quite a severe fire starting to develop in the hallway."

Had Mr Connachan returned home from work only a short time earlier he could have been trapped.

Mr Clough said: "We put out the fire quickly.

"It had only been going a short time.

"Whoever had started it had only just started it a short time before he got home.

"It had probably only been going for about five minutes."

Mr Clough added that the flat was fitted with a smoke alarm which was working.

Fire crews were at the scene for about one and a half hours.

Mr Connachan was not available for comment today.