FIREFIGHTERS who rescued a 23-year-old woman from her burning bungalow early today said she was "lucky to be alive".

Kelly Stacey was found slumped on a settee in Birch Hall Lodge, Birch Hall Avenue, Darwen, at 6.25am.

She was led to safety from the smoked filled living room by leading firefighter Tom Ashworth and firefighter Glen Trobe.

The alarm was raised by a neighbour who heard screaming and shouting.

Birch Hall Lodge is owned by Paragon Care and provides sheltered accommodation for people with learning difficulties.

Sub officer Alan Burgess, of Darwen fire station, said: "She was disorientated but the firefighters were able to walk her out to safety.

"The bungalow was heavily smoke logged and there was a lot of fire damage in the bedroom. She is very lucky to be alive."

The woman was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.

The blaze almost destroyed the bedroom and bedding and the rest of the property was damaged by smoke. The cause is being investigated.