TWO young girls were rescued by hero firefighters who crawled on their hands and knees through dense smoke into a blazing home early today.

The girls -- one who was unconscious after being overcome by fumes as she hid under a dressing table -- were trapped in a bedroom as the fire engulfed the house.

Both girls, believed to be aged 10 and 12, were today still detained under treatment at separate North-west hospitals in "high dependancy" beds.

The fire broke out as the two friends were enjoying a sleepover at the house in Bennetts Lane, Halliwell..

Neighbours heard the youngsters screaming for help out of the window shortly before 1am.

But attempts made by two nearby residents, Mark Prodywus, and Norman Farrimond, failed when they were unable to get into the blazing terraced home.

Fire crews braved the blaze after colleagues beat down a pathway through the flames in the house.

After struggling to find the stairs through the thick smoke, the crews made their way to the first floor where one of the girls managed to crawl into the arms of leading fireman Ray Clift.

She was passed on to firefighter Carl Bostock and carried to safety as the search for the second youngster continued.

Crawling through the front bedroom, firefighters eventually discovered the other child unconscious lying under a dressing table.

She was carried outside where both girls were administered oxygen. A passing paramedic and nurse assisted until ambulance crews took control.

Both were taken to Royal Bolton Hospital. They were later moved to high dependency beds before one girl was transferred to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury.

Leading fireman Clift, said: "The smoke was so thick you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.

"Thankfully one of the little girls was shouting out and it directed us. She crawled out and almost jumped into my arms. It appeared like the other girl lying unconscious had crawled under the dressing table to hide."

Carol Coleman and daughter, Lauren, live in the house. Four women had been downstairs, but were not in the house when the fire broke out.

The other youngster, Lauren's friend, had been visiting for a sleepover. Fire chiefs are still investigating the cause of the blaze but believe a carelessly discarded cigarette is the most likely cause.

Today Mr Prodywus, 23, described his frustration at being unable to rescue the girls. He said: "I heard girls screaming and at first thought it was youngsters messing around. But it went on for too long, and I realised something had to be wrong.

"When I looked out I saw them shouting from the window upstairs and saw the orange glow of the fire.

"I ran out and broke the front door down. But the flames came flying out of the door. It was a terrible feeling knowing there was nothing I could do."

Station Officer Dave Thompson, said: "This was an extremely severe fire and the crews reacted professionally.

"A smoke alarm did activate in the house but at this stage we do not know whether the girls were asleep and it woke them up or gave them early warning. But what we do know is that they managed to get into the front bedroom from the back of the house which helped."