A MAN was rescued from his burning house this morning after a suspected arson attack in Burnley.

Fire crews arriving on the scene, in Brief Street, Daneshouse, at 2.40am, saw the 24-year-old wave for help from a first-floor bedroom before he collapsed.

Firefighters forced their way into the property through front and back doors and carried the barely-conscious man to safety.

Police were set to investigate the suspected arson attack after a chair was placed against the back door of the terraced house and set alight.

And a fire chief warned that only a closed bedroom door saved the man.

Burnley crew manager Kieron Ogden said: “The thing that saved this lad’s life was the fact that the bedroom door was shut and it meant that less smoke came through.

“He had still taken in smoke and we gave him oxygen when we found him, but it could have been much worse.”

The man was treated in hospital for smoke inhalation but was not thought to be seriously injured.

Despite the escape, Mr Ogden said the man’s smoke detector had failed and warned about the importance of having a working alarm.

Next-door properties were also checked for smoke damage following the fire.

Coun Wajid Khan, who represents Daneshouse and Stoneyeyholme, said: “It really is very worrying that something like this happened in my ward.

“I would like to praise the fire officers who did really well at the scene and rescued this person.

“It is shocking and very concerning that someone can do this, it is a nightmare for someone to go through.

“Hopefully the perpetrators can be caught and dealt with by the authorities.

"I would urge anyone with information to contact the police.”

Inspector Jes Holland, from Burnley police, said an investigation into the cause of the ‘suspicious fire’ had been launched.

However, no arrests had been made.