A MAN died in a house blaze early today despite a neighbour's brave effort to save him

Firefighters found Ivan Parker, 47, lying dead on a bed in a front upstairs room at his terrace home in Clay Street, Burnley.

Neighbour David Parkinson injured his leg trying to kick down a boarded-up door, covered himself in a wet blanket for a rescue attempt.

But the heat and fierce flames drove him back and he had to be treated at Burnley General Hospital for injuries, shock and smoke effects.

Mr Parker moved to the house around nine months ago from Nelson. He was unemployed and lived alone.

Mr Parker, 47, was found by firefighters.

"I smelt smoke so I went to see what was going on," said Mr Parkinson. "There were flames everywhere. It was phenomenal.

"I tried to run in with a wet blanket around me but the flames were too much. I did the best I could, I risked my own life, but I couldn't get in to save him." The fire broke out around 2am and quickly spread through the house. There were initial reports that a child was trapped in the building but when firemen went in they discovered Mr Parker lying on his bed. No-one else was in the house.

Sub officer John Davies, of Burnley fire station, said: "The main seat of the fire was in the front living room. We're putting the cause down at the moment to an electric heater which had been left on and set fire to a chair."

Sub officer Davies said the fire brigade's sniffer dog had been called in to see if the fire had been started deliberately.

Detective Inspector Ron Griffiths, of Burnley police, said police and fire investigations were continuing. Forensic officers were due to examine the house further today.

East Lancashire coroner David Smith has been informed.

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