TWO people jumped to safety, and six families were led from their homes, as fire raged through a house in Boothley Road, Blackpool on Tuesday night.

The fire, thought to have been caused by a faulty tumble dryer, began in a first floor flat shortly after 1am, before spreading to adjacent terraced properties, a Lancashire Police spokesman said.

She said a taxi driver flagged down a police patrol and told them there was a fire and the emergency services were called.

"Subsequently four fire appliances attended and fire officers made a search of the building after persons were reported trapped," she said.

"The fire appeared to be spreading through the roof spaces of adjacent terraced properties and at the request of the senior fire officer our helicopter attended and used thermal imaging pictures to show how the fire was going on. Six families were evacuated from their homes."

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said two crews from Blackpool, one from Bispham and one from South Shore, plus the incident support unit from South Shore attended.

He said two occupants had escaped through a window and jumped to the ground. The fire spread to adjoining property and smoke was seen coming from a further five houses.

Eight fire fighters wearing breathing apparatus brought the fire under control within an hour, using one jet and four hose reels, he added. A total of 25 people were evacuated.

The fire caused severe damage to the house, and to the roof of the neighbouring property.