FIREFIGHTERS have warned people to beware throwing lit cigarettes away indoors after a blaze began in a kitchen at a flat in Kingsley Close, Accrington.

The fire started when the owners threw a cigarette into a bin and then left the flat.

While they were out, it set fire to the contents of the bin and neighbours soon saw smoke coming from the property.

Officers arrived shortly before 9.30pm on Monday and were able to tackle the flames. They also used a ventilation unit to clear the smoke from the flat.

Fire chiefs have warned people to be careful with cigarettes indoors and say they should be disposed of properly using an ash-tray.