A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a woman was rescued from a house fire in Napier Street, Nelson, early today.
Two crews from the town's fire station attended the blaze at the mid-terraced house at 2.30am this morning.
A woman was evacuated from the property uninjured and police were called.
A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and is still in custody while investigations continued.
A Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Fire affected the porch and ground floor of the house. 
"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property to put out the fire using a hose reel and ventilation fan. 
"The front room of the house were severely damaged by heat and smoke and the first floor was also affected by smoke. 
"Fire crews were in attendance for approximately two and a half hours."
A police spokeswoman said: "We were called by the fire service at approximately 2.50am today to reports of a fire at a property on Napier Street, Nelson.
"Officers attended and found the fire had started in the vestibule area of the house.
"At the time of the fire there was one female in the address, who is not believed to have suffered any injuries.
"A 45-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, arson. 
"He remains in police custody and enquiries are ongoing."