A MAN was dragged into the street and stabbed after he answered the door at a house-warming party yesterday.

Today detectives are hunting two men believed to be resonsible and a woman who witnessed the attack in Scarlett Street, Burnley.

The man, in his 20s, needed emergency surgery on his shoulder following the attack in the early hours of yesterday morning and police said he was lucky not to have sustained more serious injuries.

Police said the victim was set upon at around 4.50am, having spent the night at the house party.

Yesterday, Jordan Walsh, 26, who hosted the party, said: “There were only about five or six of us in the house, and then someone came to the door and started some trouble.

“The lad who was attacked, who I don’t know very well, answered the door and he must have been dragged into the street.

“I didn’t see or hear anything. The first thing I knew was when an ambulance turned up in the street.

“I have only just moved in here in the past few weeks. I don’t want the neighbours to think bad of me.”

Yesterday, detectives from Burnley CID interviewed the stabbed man at Royal Blackburn Hospital, where he was treated for a ‘puncture-type injury’ to his shoulder.

Detective Inspector Jim Elston said the wound was consistent with a knife injury but could have been caused by another ‘sharp instrument’.

He said: “We understand that there had been a party at the house and that this man became involved in a dispute.

“It resulted in him sustaining the injuries which, although not life-threatening, are serious and could have been worse.”

Mr Elston urged witnesses to come forward.

Detectives are hunting two men, who are being treated as suspects, along with a woman, who they believe was also present when the attack took place.

The trio ran off towards nearby Coal Clough Lane following the incident.

Officers described the first man as white, aged 35 to 40, slim, and around 5ft 10ins.

He was wearing a white t-shirt, dark jeans and dark trainers.

The second man was white, aged in his late 30s, slim and around 6ft. He had dark hair and was wearing a dark-coloured tracksuit top.

The woman was white, aged 35 to 40, slim and around 5ft 5ins. She was wearing a dark-coloured top, a dark skirt and black boots.

Yesterday, Scarlett Street residents said they were shocked by the attack.

Kelly Walsh, 26, said: “I just woke up and saw the police presence in the street.

"I have got young kids so this is the last thing you want.”

Call police on 01282 472144 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.