A COUPLE who received a threat that their house would we burned down returned from a night out to discover their home ablaze.

Police are investigating the suspected arson attack at a terrace house in Hollin Bridge Street, Blackburn, which was discovered at about 12.35am today.

Leading firefighter Tony Walmsley said the occupants of the house had returned from a night out to find the front door had been kicked in and a settee in a rear room of the house set on fire.

People in the area said the couple living at the house were Joseph Nightingale and his girlfriend Pauline.

The couple had an argument with two men at the Angel pub, at the junction of Bolton Road and Infirmary Street, at last orders yesterday. Police said during the confrontation someone had allegedly threatened the couple that their house would be burned down.

A fire crew arrived to find the house heavily smoke-logged. Houses on either side of the property had to be evacuated.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus put out the fire. The settee was destroyed and the rest of the house was damaged by the heat and smoke from the flame.

Mr Walmsley praised the actions of next-door-neighbour Craig Walker who tried to put the fire out using a garden hose.

He said: "He did a tremendous job. We would not recommend anyone goes into a burning room to fight a fire, like we do, but he stayed outside and put the hose through the window."

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