OAP rescued as home destroyed in arson attack
AN ARSON investigation is underway after firefighters rescued a 73-year-old man from a devastating blaze at his home.
Police said an accelerant was used to deliberately start a fire in a ground floor kitchen, which is shared with the Studio 202 hair and beauty salon on Blackburn Road, Accrington, in the early hours of Monday morning.
Firefighters had to break through the shutters of the salon to rescue Edward Flanagan, who lives alone in the upstairs flat.
The landlord of the building told the Observer the blaze was so ferocious that the ground floor windows exploded.
He said: “He was really lucky to survive.”
Police said a 26-year-old man has been arrested.
AFIRE which hospitalised a pensioner and gutted his home of more than 20 years is being investigated as arson.
Firefighters smashed through the shutters of a salon downstairs to rescue the 73-year-old man after being called to the blazing terraced property on Blackburn Road, Accrington in the early hours of Monday, July 10.
Edward Flanagan, who lives alone in the upstairs flat, was taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns.
Police are treating the fire as arson and have made an arrest.
It is understood that an accelerant was used to deliberately start the fire in the ground floor kitchen of the premises, which is divided between the Studio 202 hair and beauty salon and a residential property in the upper floors, at around 3.40am.
The landlord of the building, who asked not to be named, told the Observer the blaze was so ferocious that the ground floor windows exploded outwards and the extreme heat melted the smoke alarm in the upstairs flat.
He said: “Edward was really lucky to survive. He was still upstairs and he’s a bit deaf so he didn’t hear anything until they opened the door. I thought it was just some smoke damage so it was a shock to see it gutted at the back, but I was more concerned about my tenant than anything else. The damage is really bad. The kitchen is destroyed, the windows next door exploded as well and the glass inside broke when the smoke came up. Luckily there was a fire door inside the stairs, that slowed it down.”
He added: “Edward is getting better, he’s talking but he’s worried about where he’s going to go. He’s been here since before I bought the property in 1995.
“He’s a nice person, it’s a real shame that this has happened. Because of his age, if he has to move away he’s going to be lost.”
Nearby residents were also evacuated from their homes including a neighbouring shopkeeper, who said Mr Flanagan had been a regular customer for more than a decade.
The shopkeeper, who also asked not to be named, added: “I had to leave because of the smoke. Three of us got evacuated. It is scary when you can smell smoke in your property and see flashing lights. The forensic team and crime scene investigation team have been in and out and there have been lots of police about.
“I hope Edward is alright. I don’t know why someone would want to do something like this.”
A fire service spokesperson said they were alerted to the fire by a per- son who ‘feared someone may still be trapped’ inside the property.
A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: “It is being treated as an arson investigation and enquiries are ongoing at this stage.
“Offenders approached the rear of the property and there has been a fire set in the ground floor of the salon business.
“It appears that some sort of accelerant has been used to cause the fire.”
● A 26-YEAR-OLD man from Stockport has been arrested on suspicion of arson and was still in custody as the Observer went to press.
‘Edward was really lucky to survive’