A MAN in Farnworth tried to kick and bang his way into homes on a quiet residential road after a fire broke out in a flat.

Neighbours in Century Lodge reported waking to the sound of someone banging on their front doors just after 5.30am today. 

When one resident opened the door, they were greeted by a man in his 20s who said there was a fire in a flat but then asked for a hug and started demanding a cigarette.

Frightened neighbours called the police who investigated and found a fire in the upstairs flat next door.

Three fire engines attended at 6.15am and fire fighters used breathing apparatus and hose reels to put out the blaze in the back bedroom.

Neighbours were evacuated during the incident and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

No arrests were made and it is believed the man is not a resident from the flat.

A resident, who asked not to be named, said the man woke them at 5.30am and only mentioned the fire once before becoming aggressive.

"I heard banging on my door and my neighbours," they said.

"This lad was just stood there and said we need to call the fire brigade because there was a fire but didn't sound panicked. He then said he had a terminal illness wanted a hug and then asked for a cigarette.

"I shut the door but he kept banging and kicking it and my neighbour’s door saying he wanted a cigarette, but didn't mention the fire again.

"He was attacking the door and wanting to get in.

"There were no signs there was a fire and we didn't hear any alarms. It wasn't until the police got us outside that we realised there was one."