TWO roofs were badly damaged after a DIY roofing job sparked a fire.

Firefighters believe the fire had been smouldering at the semi-detached bungalows in Catterick Avenue, Little Lever, after a homeowner laid felt above a dormer window.

Fifteen firefighters spent three hours dealing with the fire on Saturday night.

The blaze is thought to have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Farnworth Fire Station watch commander Paul Norris said: "The gentleman had been putting on some roofing felt and we believe that some hot bitumen or a blowtorch may have caused the fire.

"It appears to have been smouldering for some time before anybody realised that it was on fire and by that time the blaze had become quite well established.

"Our priority was to put the fire out with the minimum amount of damage but we were forced to strip some of the ceiling away."

The homeowners declined to comment on the fire.