ELEVEN teenagers were led to safety after a fire broke out in a children’s home.

Police said a 14-year-old boy had been arrested in connection with the blaze in an upstairs bedroom at Moorland View Children’s Home, Manchester Road, Clowbridge.

Rawtenstall crew manager Andy Pennington said the initial call was classed as ‘persons reported in the building’.

But when they arrived just after 8pm on Tuesday, care home manager Julie Binnie and her staff had taken the 11 youngsters, aged 13 to 17, out of the two-storey building.

Mr Pennington said: “The fire alarms went off and the staff did an excellent job of getting the children to safety.

“The fire was contained to one bedroom. The bed was on fire, but it was quickly under control.

“Nobody was in the room when we arrived there – everybody was out.”

Investigations are still underway as to who started the fire, which required two crews from Rawtenstall and one from Bacup.

Four firefighters used breathing apparatus and thermal imaging equipment to check for other hotspots and make sure no one else was inside.

Two ventilation units were used to clear the smoke and the children were allowed back into the home by 9.30pm.

The children’s home, which is attached to an independent school, specialises in working with young people who have suffered severe trauma in their lives though abuse and disruption in their education.

A spokeswoman from the police said: “We were notified about the incident and an investigation is now in place.

“The fire service is leading the investigation and keeping us informed.

“A 14-year-old boy has been arrested for arson with intent to endanger life.”