DETECTIVES have been called in after an 82-year-old man died when fire broke out in the bedroom of his home early today.

Firefighters forced their way into the house on Wolseley Street in the Infirmary area of Blackburn at around 3.15 am and found Robert Kitchener Kendal lying in an upstairs bedroom.

Attempts to revive Mr Kendal by fire crews and paramedics failed and he was pronounced dead at the scene by a police doctor.

Police believe the fire started in a faulty electric blanket but detectives were called after the dead man was found to have a wound to his head.

It is believed this may have been caused by Mr Kitchener banging his head as he crawled towards a window to escape the smoke but investigations are continuing today.

Neighbour Andrew Adcroft, 31, broke down the pensioner's back door and twice tried to rescue him but was beaten back by the flames.

He was alerted after his wife Sheelagh got up to feed their baby.

Home Office pathologist Dr Bill Rutherford was due to carry out a post mortem examination today and the coroner has been informed.

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