A JOINT police and fire investigation has been launched after a young family had to flee from their burning home in Clayton Brook.

Fire crews from Bamber Bridge arrived at the house within six minutes of the call being made, but the inside of terraced house was destroyed.

The occupants, a man, a woman and a two-year-old child, escaped from the property after smoke alarms were activated.

Station Officer Keith Marsh, leading the fire service investigation, said: "The extent of the damage is shocking and shows just how quickly house fires can take hold.

"Thankfully, the property was fitted with smoke alarms and the family was able to escape relatively unscathed and they were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation."

The blaze, at a North British Housing property in Daisy Meadow, Clayton Brook, is being treated as suspicious.

It began at 3.30am on Friday, September 24.

A fire investigation dog aided officers in their search for evidence.

Detective Sergeant Damian Wignall of Chorley CID, said: "We would like anyone with any information about the fire and its cause to come forward.

"This was a very serious incident and it is still under investigation by ourselves and the fire service."

Anyone with information can call Chorley CID on 01257 269021 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.