FIRE tore through a one-bedroom flat in Blackburn last night, destroying the property.

Firefighters were called to Leeds Close, Audley, at 1am.

The first-floor flat was well alight and one man was treated at the scene for the effects of breathing in smoke.

Neighbouring proper-ties were also damaged by smoke during the blaze.

The 26-year-old flat owner was waiting for crews outside the two-storey building, said crew manager Mick Angland, of Blackburn Fire Station.

He said: "The man stated that he woke up and his flat was on fire. He tried to fight it but he couldn't because it was too hot and ran downstairs.

"It was a fierce fire and it looked like it had been going for some time."

He said smoke had gone through the attic of the flat and found its way into neighbouring properties.

Neighbour Saleha Bayat, 31, said a female motorist returning home from work at Blackburn Royal Infirmary had spotted the blaze.

She said: "We got everybody out of the nearby properties and tried to get the man out of his flat. When he opened his door we could see the flames behind him. "