TWO people have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a man was trapped in a house blaze in Accrington.

Fire crews were called to Derby Street, near Eastgate, just before 2.30am yesterday.

As three fire engines arrived at the scene firefighters said they saw a man and a woman who appeared to be trying to rescue another man, in his 20s, from a front bedroom.

The man, who was given CPR by paramedics, was taken to hospital in a ‘serious condition’ after inhaling significant amounts of smoke.

The 53–year-old woman and 46-year-old man, who live at the property, were later arrested in connection with the incident.

Watch manager Gary Drinkwater, of Hyndburn Fire Station, said they arrived at the scene as two people were attempting to rescue the man from the first floor room at the front of the property.

He said: “We quickly assisted in the rescue and once the gentlemen was outside the ambulance crews performed CPR on him as he was suffering from severe smoke inhalation.”

Paramedics put Royal Blackburn Hospital on alert to receive the man as they rushed him to hospital.

The other two people, who were also treated for smoke inhalation by paramedics from a second ambulance, remained at the house.

The fire is believed to have started in the bathroom which was wrecked.

Firefighters said that the rest of the house was severely smoke damaged.

Yesterday, fire investigators and police were at the scene investigating the cause of the blaze.

Around two hours before the fire, police said a brick was thrown through the ground floor window of the address and officers are keen to speak to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area.

Detective Sergeant Paul Langley said: “The fire caused extensive damage and we will be carrying out a full and thorough investigation to find out who was responsible.”

Anybody who has got any information on the incident should call police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.