A COUPLE were dramatically brought to safety down firefighters' ladders following an early morning blaze at a Chorley town centre flat.

Carl Kershaw and Helen Robinson, both aged 31, had to be rescued from their first floor flat on Parsons Brow at the rear of Market Street.

Firefighters from Chorley rushed to the burning premises above the Crusty Cob sandwich shop at 3.15am on Sunday April 1after passing police officers smelt smoke and discovered a fire.

PCs Adrian Jolly and Colin Anderson bravely attempted to reach the door but were both forced back by the intense heat.

But the drama did not end there as leading firefighter Merrick Tomlinson, of Chorley Fire Station explained.

"I believe it was quite a spectacular rescue," he said.

"When the first ladder was pitched Miss Robinson leapt out of the window and grabbed the underside of the ladder and was in danger of falling.

"One of our firefighters acted with skill and got up and got an arm round her until they got a second ladder pitched inside the first."

He said Miss Robinson was then led down and Mr Kershaw followed, walking down by himself. The blaze severely damaged the flat's hall and stairway and there was also water damage to the shop below as a result of a fractured water pipe.

Three pumps and the incident support unit attended the blaze, with firefighters using three ladders, breathing apparatus two hose reels and a ventilation unit. The blaze is said to have started in the stairway of the flat -- one of two above the shop.

LFF Tomlinson added: "At this stage we are not treating it as suspicious.

"However, at present our investigations are continuing." The couple were taken to Chorley Hospital for treatment

Both suffered serious smoke inhalation, while Mr Kershaw was also treated for cuts to his hands.

Their conditions are currently described as poorly but stable.

RESCUE: Firefighters at the scene.