A PENSIONER has died in a house fire in Darwen.

The man, aged in his 70s, was found dead inside a house in Sudell Road at around 9am today.

Eyewitnesses reported that the man's wife escaped the fire and attempted to go back to rescue her husband.

The woman was subsequently taken to hospital.

Neighbours have since paid tribute to a quiet and polite man, who was well known in the area, following the tragic fire.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire Rescue Service said: "Firefighters from Blackburn, Hyndburn and Bamber Bridge attended reports of a fire at a domestic property on Sudell Road, Darwen where it was believed people were still inside the building.

"When firefighters arrived at the scene they used four breathing apparatus and a hose reel to search the property and tackle the fire.

"The fire was located on the ground floor of the property with the rest of the property heavily smoke logged.

"There were two casualties involved in the incident, one had managed to evacuate the property and required treatment from paramedics for the effects of smoke inhalation.

"The second casualty was sadly declared deceased at the scene. Police are also in attendance at the incident and an investigation is now underway."

A police spokesman said: "Emergency services are currently at the scene of an incident in Darwen.

"Officers attended and sadly a man was found deceased at the address. Enquiries are on-going."

A spokesman for the ambulance service said: "We attended Sudell Road, Darwen, this morning to reports of a fire. We sent two ambulances and a rapid response vehicle. We have taken a patient to hospital."