Holly and Ella
Twins Holly and Ella, 4, were both killed in the fire that started during their mother's burthday PA

A Lancashire family has been devastated by a house fire which killed four siblings.

Four-year-old twins Holly and Ella Smith, two-year-old Jordan and older brother Reece, 19, all died in the blaze in a bungalow in Freckleton on the Flyde Coast.

The fire started as the children's mother, Michelle Smith, celebrated her 36th birthday in the family home.

She was unhurt in the late-night blaze. Her other five children all survived.

It is thought that Reece was killed as he tried to fight through the flames to save his siblings, who were treated at the scene but died later of their injuries.

"I have lost the lights of my life, where can I turn?" the mother said when she returned to her home.

Her father, Keith Smith, 56, went to the house after hearing a news report of a fire in the area.

"It's very shocking; these are such tragic circumstances," he told the Guardian. "I don't know anything about what happened.

"It is just terrible. I last saw them all after Christmas. It has just come as a big shock."

Ms Smith's former partner, Colin Ostler, praised Reece, saying he "died a hero".

"Michelle is in shock. She's devastated, we all are, but it's not really hit her yet," he told the Lancashire Evening Post.

Firefighters rescued four people within the building who were unconscious and a fifth person was led out.

Police said they were keeping an open mind as to the cause of the fire.