Preston fire: Girl, 3, & boy, 5, fighting for life after house fire & woman in her 20s critical as m

TWO kids - a girl aged three and a five-year-old boy - are today fighting for their lives after a massive blaze at a Preston house overnight.

A woman in her 20s was also badly hurt in the fire which took hold of the terraced property at around 8pm on Friday night - with a man since arrested on suspicion of arson.

Emergency crews rushed to the home in Coronation Crescent to find it completely ablaze.

It is believed to have been largely destroyed.

Hero firefighters rescued four people in total. All were treated at the scene and rushed to hospital.

Both young casualties are in a critical condition today. The woman suffered injuries which aren't thought to be life-threatening.

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Cops have announced this afternoon that a 24-year-old man from Preston has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life in connection with the horror.

Chilling photos from the scene show the extent of the damage.

The terraced property appears to have been largely destroyed by the flames.

Windows at the front and back of the property have been completely smashed, exposing the rooms to the elements.

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Smoke damage has blackened the brickwork.

At the rear, debris including children's clothing appears to have been blown from inside the house onto the roof of an extension.

The incident was initially described as an "explosion" by the leader of Preston City Council, Matthew Brown.

He had tweeted: "Really concerning to hear about the explosion at a property in Avenham this evening.

"Thoughts and prayers with all those affected by what looks like an extremely serious incident."

HORROR FIRE

However, police confirmed this afternoon that the incident did not involve a blast, telling reporters: "We are aware of rumours circulating online about an explosion having occurred and we would like to clarify that this is not the case."

Detective Chief Inspector Graham Hill said: "Two children are in hospital with life-threatening injuries and first and foremost our thoughts are with them and their parents at this awful time.

"We have specially-trained officers with them at hospital.

"At this time the fire is being treated as unexplained and an investigation has been launched with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service to establish the cause.

Two children are in hospital with life-threatening injuries... our thoughts are with them and their parents at this awful time

"We now need you to contact us if you have any information at all that can help with this investigation.

"Maybe you were in the Coronation Crescent area last night between 7.30pm and 8.30pm and saw something suspicious, perhaps you have dashcam or CCTV which has captured the address during those times, or maybe you have other information you think could be important.

"Whatever you know we would urge you to contact us straight away."

A spokesperson said this afternoon: "The fire is being treated as unexplained.

"One person has been arrested and an investigation is under way."

A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said four fire engines and an aerial ladder platform were called out to reports of a fire just after 7.50pm.

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"The incident involved the ground and first floor of a domestic property," they said.

"Four casualties received treatment from firefighters and North West Ambulance Service paramedics before being conveyed to the hospital by ambulance."

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