A COUPLE say they are lucky to be alive after a house fire that badly damaged two homes in Horwich.

The blaze, which started in a chimney at a house in Chorley Old Road at about 11.20pm, spread to three other houses, which were evacuated, but nobody was hurt.

Elaine Edmond, who lives in the grade II listed house where the fire started, with her partner Lee McCoy, said they are lucky to be alive.

The couple had their chimney swept on Saturday, then lit a fire in their home on Tuesday night and said everything seemed to be fine.

It is believed the fire started after heat which had been smouldering slowly spread from the flue liner at the top of the chimney to tinder beams further down.

The flames then spread onto the roof of the couple's home.

Miss Edmond said: "We were getting ready to go to bed and Lee said he could smell smoke. 

"I had a look round but I couldn't see or smell anything. 

"When I phoned the fire brigade, I didn't even know it was coming from our house.

"Our alarm didn't go off because the fire was going up the way.

"If we'd have gone to bed, that smoke would have killed us.

"We are still trying to come to terms with what's happened. The fire brigade and British Red Cross were fantastic."

Mr McCoy, aged 47, added: "It's a good job we didn't go to bed, or this could have been a lot worse.

"Everyone, including our neighbours, were fantastic. They all rallied round to help us.

"We are lucky to have such excellent neighbours - we can't fault them."

The couple are looking for somewhere to live and are waiting to hear back from their insurers. 

Their house has been gutted from top to bottom. 

A 92-year-old man who lived next door to Miss Edmond and Mr McCoy has been taken to hospital.

Alan Ainsworth, who rents out the other house which was damaged, said: "I got there at about 11.30am after getting a phone call from one of the gentleman's neighbours.

"I just could not believe what I was seeing. I'm very thankful no one was hurt, because if this fire hadn't been dealt with as quickly as it was, it could have spread right down the street."

The houses are close to the Blundell Arms pub. 

Fire crews from Horwich, Farnworth, Bolton North and Bolton Central stations, along with the British Red Cross, were at the scene until 4am.

A fire service spokesman said: "There were six firefighters and three hose reels tackling the fire.

"We are still looking into the full cause of the fire and specialist fire investigating officers are at the scene."