TWO East Lancashire families were dramatically rescued from their homes as fires started in foam filled furniture.

A Burnley couple and their three year old daughter were rescued after police officers spotted the blaze in their home on Elm Street.

And a Darwen family were rescued after the mother and daughter had become trapped in their blazing home in Redearth Street.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.