A FLAT in Carr Road, Darwen, was severely damaged by fire after the occupant dropped cigarette lighter fluid on a sofa.

When firefighters arrived at the scene at 4am yesterday, the living room was well alight, and the rest of the property had been damaged by heat and smoke.

The occupant, said to be in his 50s, had managed to evacuate, but a resident in a flat upstairs had to be helped out by fire-fighters.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: “The man in an upstairs flat was on his way down the staircase.

“But there was quite a lof of smoke in the area restricting his exit, so we assisted him.

“The flat is badly damaged and is not inhabitable for the time being.”