A TEENAGER became a hero when he managed to rescue his family trapped in their smoke filled home.

Andrew Blackledge managed to lower himself from a bedroom window and find a ladder so his mum Leslie and Stuart Cunliffe could escape from the house at The Crescent, Clitheroe, in the early hours.

Residents were awoken by the screams of Stuart, Leslie and Andrew, from the bedroom of their semi-detached home. Clitheroe Fire Brigade Station Officer Dave McGrath said: "The house was filled with very fierce flames and the three had crowded into a back bedroom to try to escape.

" All three were suffering from shock and smoke inhalation."

Unfortunately the family Labrador cross Sally which had been sleeping downstairs could not be saved.

Mr McGrath said: "We found the dog but our efforts massaging its heart and giving it oxygen did not revive it."

The blaze is thought to have been started by a carelessly discarded cigarette downstairs.

Mr McGrath added: "The house was not equipped with a smoke alarm but the family had closed their doors as they had gone to bed - it almost certainly gave them more time and possibly saved their lives."

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