MODEST heroes from a Leyland pub fought a raging blaze that firefighters say could have have had tragic consequences.

Hogs Head landlord Brian Watmough escaped with his wife Samantha and a barman, all armed with fire extinguishers, to fight the fire from safety outside.

And firefighters speaking after the arson attack at the Golden Hill Lane pub near Preston said they were fortunate no-one was killed.

Sub-Officer Ian Hainsworth said : "It was lucky the landlord and his wife had not gone to bed. If they had been asleep who knows what would've happened. They could have been killed.

"They were also lucky because there was a water pipe above the cellar door which melted in the flames and acted like a sprinkler extinguishing the most severe fire."

Sub-Officer Hainsworth said someone had gone to the pub with the intention of burning it down: "They used a length of hose to put paraffin under doors," he said.

Inspector Dave Stewart of Leyland Police confirmed the blaze was arson: "Two small fires were started and we're treating them as suspicious. CID are making enquiries.

"We urge anyone who saw anything suspicious at about 11.45pm on Sunday night (April 27) to contact us on 433561 straight away."

Frances Knox from the brewery Scottish and Newcastle said: "Brian and Samantha just want to put the fire behind them now."

The fire caused smoke damage to rooms and ruined carpets and decorations but the pub is open as usual.

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