CORONATION Street star Fizz Brown was involved in a real-life drama today when she tried to help rescue a family from their blazing home.

Flame-haired Fizz, played by Jenny McAlpine, raced to the scene of the fire in Fern Street, Bacup, in her nightie from her nearby house.

She asked neighbours if there was anything she could do to help when she thought a family of six were still trapped in their home.

Firefighters and neighbours told the Corrie actress -- who plays a fiesty red-head in the top soap and is the boyfriend of dopey Kirk -- that the couple and children were safe.

She then joined locals for a cup of tea and a chat about the incident.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "Fizz came and tried to help some of the firefighters but went away again when she knew everyone was safe.

"She seemed relieved that everyone appeared to be ok and I think she was glad of a cuppa at the end of the drama."

The couple who live in the house were named by neighbours as David and Joanne Longworth, and their five children, David, 12, Melissa, nine, Jason, seven, TJ, two and Charlotte, one, although one of the youngsters was staying with friends.

They are believed to have escaped the house before a Green Goddess crew and striking firefighters arrived at the scene.

The blaze caused extensive damage to the terraced home and the family's German Shepherd dog was found dead in the dining room.

Four firefighters standing on the picket line outside the fire station in Pennine Road, Bacup, made the decision to cross their picket line after receiving repeated reports of the fire.

Sub officer John Lord, a firefighter of 24 years, was one of those who attended the scene.

He said today: "It is not about breaking a strike, we did it because we care. We have been treated terribly, but we are still committed to the people of Rossendale.

"Our argument is with the Government, not with the general public.

"We gave a commitment that if anyone was in trouble we would turn up. When we got to the scene the front room was well alight and as far as we could ascertain people were still unaccounted for.

"Two of our team went in to the front room of the house to search for people, while another two fought the fire."

Army chiefs received a call at their base in Preston just before 3.30am this morning. Officers dispatched a Green Goddess fire engine and a specialist rescue team to the scene.

One man and three children were taken to hospital, but it is not thought their injuries were serious.

All six suffered the effects of smoke inhalation and one was treated for a minor foot injury.

An Army spokesman said: "When we got there Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and one ambulance was already dealing with the incident and had recovered six people suffering from smoke inhalation.

"The military assisted towards the end of the operation, damping the house down and bringing the operation to an end."

The cause of the fire is not yet known.