NEIGHBOURS described how they heard an explosion as a blaze claimed the life of a man in Charnock Richard at the weekend.

Martin Lilburn, 59, who lived alone on Willow Drive, died when fire gutted his detached home at 5.30pm on Sunday (February 10).

Twenty neighbours rushed out of their homes after hearing the explosion.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus fought the blaze for more than three hours but were unable to save Mr Lilburn who was found collapsed on the ground floor living room.

Nextdoor neighbour Valerie Grandi said: "At 5.30pm we heard a severe explosion. I thought it was a car accident so I went to the front door. When we got outside a neighbour was dialling 999. We could see the flames going through the house."

Another neighbour Romano Grandi said: "We were hoping the chap who lived there had gone out.

"The fire service advised us to come out of our house. We were pleading for the fire engine to arrive."

He said he last saw Mr Lilburn last Saturday morning checking his car under the bonnet.

"His wife Alice used to come and see him. He has been in hospital as he has not been well," added Mr Grandi. "He didn't get involved with other people. He was a bit of a loner."

Father Norman, the local parish priest for Charnock Richard, said: "We got the message that there had been a fire on Willow Drive as we were just about to start evening service on the Sunday. We prayed for whoever might have been involved. It is terrible."

It is understood that Mr Lilburn, who is originally from the south of England, had been in hospital several times for mental health problems.

Mr Lilburn's wife Alice lives with one of his two daughters in Coppull and another daughter lives in Standish.

Fire crews from Leyland and Bamber Bridge attended as the two fire engines from Chorley were at another incident.

An investigation into the fire is being carried out by Wheelton CID.