A MAN leapt to safety from a first-floor window as fire ravaged his home early today.

Firefighters said John Markham, 39, broke through the window of his bathroom after he woke to find his home in Bonsall Street, Mill Hill, Blackburn, on fire at 2.40am. Firefighters said they arrived at the scene following a call from Mr Markham's sister and next door neighbour, Yvonne Adams, and said he climbed down the drainpipe to safety.

Sub Officer Tony Ashworth said: "When we arrived she didn't know whether he was still inside or whether he had got out. The house was well alight at this point and Mr Markham had become trapped.

"He proceeded to break through the bathroom window and climb down the pipe, though he fell at the last bit. He was cut from the glass in the broken window pane and sustained other injuries in his escape so we administered first aid and waited for paramedics to arrive."

Mr Markham was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

The house was gutted in the blaze.

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