A group of firefighters were mobbed by women who thought they were part of the act when they arrived to tackle a blaze during a strip show.

Female fans clapped the firefighters at a pub in St Helens, Merseyside.

"One lady shouted, we have got our money's worth here," said watch manager Paul Costello.

The fire was accidentally started by a stripper using lighter fluid in his act. One person was hospitalised with smoke inhalation.