AN AMATEUR recording studio was destroyed in a fire believed to have been caused by a discarded cigarette.

Fire crews were called to a house in Tor View, Haslingden, just before midnight on Tuesday after a smell of smoke was reported to them.

The basement had been converted into a recording studio where Jan Maguire's husband created music as a hobby.

Mr Maguire had not been home at the time but was expected to be back today.

Jan had been at home at the time of the fire and left when she could smell smoke from the basement.

She said: "It is not a professional studio, recording music is one of his hobbies.

"I don't know the cost or the value of the equipment in the basement. I could smell smoke before the fire alarms went off. I called the fire brigade and took my children and dog out of the property before they arrived.

"The fire service were great, and told me not to worry.

"They fitted fire alarms that will detect sooner than ours did."

One fire engine from Rawtenstall and one from Haslingden attended.

The recording studio was destroyed and the remainder of the house was smoke logged.

Crew manager Ian Johnston said: "The fire in the converted basement was accidental caused by smoking material. There was no-one in the property when we arrived and we were at the scene for two hours.

"It appears fire alarms alerted the occupants who evacuated and waited until we arrived."