A COUPLE called the fire service after a woman banged on their window screaming ‘my house is burning down’.

Three fire crews were called to a house fire in Lee Street, Accrington, after a front bedroom caught fire.

Neighbours Pablo and Mary Magee called 999 after a woman from outside their house knocked on their window and screamed for help.

Mrs Magee said she couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw the flames.

She said: “The woman’s face was covered in soot and I looked at her home and it was horrifying.

“The fire was raging and licking out of the window and up to the roof.

“I was so scared, it was such a horrendous ordeal.

“Fire crews had to stop the woman running back into the house to grab her things.

“I can’t stop thinking about it. The fire crews were there for a long time dealing with all the mess.”

A fire service spokesman said no one was inside the house when they arrived but two cats had become trapped upstairs.

He said a specialised a pet oxygen therapy mask was used to help the cats.

Mr Magee said it was frightening to see the fire grow so quickly.

He said: “The smoke was starting to come out of the houses next to it, it looked like it was travelling.

“I was told to move my car out of the way by firemen because it could have been damaged.

“I saw the top window get pushed out by the heat and it smashed onto the floor.

“I could feel the adrenaline in me during the whole event, it was very traumatic.

“We didn’t sleep very well that night, we kept thinking about all the damage which was caused.

“My wife had nightmares about it.”

A fire service spokesman said: “Thankfully everyone who was inside the house was accounted for and the cats survived.

“An investigation is ongoing to find out how the fire was started, however we don’t believe it was suspicious.

“No one suffered any serious injuries.”