NEIGHBOURS have described seeing a family home go up in smoke during a fire.

The fire service were called to High Bank Crescent, Darwen, at about 8.15pm on Wednesday following reports of a blaze in a semi-detached property.

Two crews from Bamber Bridge and Blackburn used four breathing apparatus, two hose reels and ventilation unit to put out the fire.

Firefighters were at the scene for three and half hours and the cause is under investigation.

One resident who lives nearby spoke of her shock at seeing smoke billowing from her neighbour’s house.

She said a family of six, including three children, a mum and dad and grandma live in the house.

She said: “I saw two fire engines and there was lots of smoke coming from the house.

“The firefighters were there for quite a few hours and I was awake until late.

“I was just shocked to see it.

“They are a family of six with three children, a mum and dad and grandma.

“I hope they’re okay as they are a nice family.”

Another eyewitness said: “I saw loads of smoke billowing from the house.

“It seemed to start in the bottom floor of the house and then the smoke spread up to the top of the house through the windows.

“It looked a fairly substantial fire and I’d imagine it would have caused quite a bit of damage.

“I saw fire crews at the scene and they were using breathing apparatus to help put out the fire.

“Fortunately, the family were all out of the house.”

The fire caused smoke damage to the house with the windows and doors blackened out when the Lancashire Telegraph visited the scene.

A fire service spokesman said: “Two fire engines from Bamber Bridge and Blackburn attended a fire involving a semi-detached property on High Bank Crescent, Darwen at 8.13pm.

“Firefighters used four breathing apparatus, two hose reels and ventilation unit to extinguish the fire.

“Firefighters were at the scene for three and half hours and the cause is under investigation.”