THE father of a Blackburn family was forced to flee his home in a bath towel when it went up in flames. The house, in Essex Street, was completely destroyed and firefighters say the family were lucky to escape with their the lives.

Quick-thinking neighbour Lynda Jepson, raised the alarm when she saw smoke pouring from the windows of the semi-detached house.

The drama started at about 4pm while the head of the family, who has asked not to be named, was taking a bath.

Mrs Jepson said: "We saw smoke coming from the downstairs and upstairs windows of the house. Luckily, there was a police car parked further up the street and I ran and told them what was happening and they radioed the Fire Brigade."

She added: "I ran back to the house and shouted up to the windows. The man who lives there was having a bath, but he heard me and got out in time. He came out in a towel and someone who lives across the road has loaned him some clothes.

"I feel really sorry for the family because the house is completely destroyed, along with everything inside. It must be devastating for them."

When firefighters arrived they were told someone could be trapped inside the building. Station Officer Jim Fowler, said: "When we arrived the house was well alight and there were flames coming from all the windows.

"We originally believed someone was in the house and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus searched the property.

"This was a very severe fire and the house was totally destroyed. We think someone was in the bath or shower when the the fire started."

It is thought the blaze was started by an electrical fault in the front room of the house.

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