A BRAVE 15-year-old and his friend attempted a daring rescue when a neighbour's house was set on fire.

Firefighters said arsonists pushed either a burning rag or liquid through the front door of 19-year-old Vicky Taylor's home in Hythe Close, Blackburn, at about 7pm last night.

Steven Leggat, who lives in the flat above, was returning from playing football and saw his friend Kevin Walsh outside the flat below his.

"He said there was a fire so we ran at the door and it came off its hinges," said Steven. "The rug was on fire but it was going out."

Vicky was not in the house at the time but her two dogs Bruno and Chang were in the bedroom.

They were rescued by Vicky's father, Ian, who lives nearby and came out to help.

Steven's mother Edna telephoned the fire brigade after she saw smoke coming from the letter box and heard Vicky's burglar alarm.

Vicky said: "When I first moved in I was broken into once and then I got an alarm. Since then they've tried to get in six more times. Someone has even got some of my keys and has opened my door in the middle of the night.

"I have an idea of who it might be but it's not just me they are targeting. I'm not living there any more and am looking for somewhere else."

Firefighters and police are investigating.

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