A FIRE in two back yards this morning spread to a property with a couple inside.

A garden shed was set on fire in Ingham Street, Padiham, at 1.10am and the blaze spread to the neighbouring back yard and both houses.

One property, which was empty, was filled with smoke as the fire spread to the kitchen roof, rear kitchen door and back windows.

The second property, which the couple managed to leave and raise the alarm, suffered heat damage to the rear door and kitchen window.

Firefighters from Padiham used breathing apparatus to check both houses were empty and a triple extension ladder and ventilation unit to clear the smoke-logged premises.