TWO gardeners battled to stop a woman re-entering her blazing flat after a cigarette caused a fire.

Firefighters believe the woman, in her 40s, dozed off while smoking a cigarette on her sofa.

She fled the first-floor flat in Aviemore Close, Blackburn, but then tried to get back in to put out flames.

Two men who were working on gardens of nearby North British Housing Association homes rushed to her aid and held her back.

Firefighters used breathing equipment to put out the flames and managed to salvage the flat, restricting damage to the living room.

Blackburn Fire Station officer Kevin Gibson warned smokers to be careful and praised the men for their bravery.

He said: "Smoking is a cause of fire and cigarettes should be dealt with properly and safely. Ashtrays should never be placed on sofa arms.

"The two chaps were very valiant to assist the woman and we would urge everyone to remember if there is a fire in their home they should leave the property immediately and let us deal with it."