A Rotherham man had a lucky escape on Sunday evening after he left his chip pan on and fell asleep in the living room.

Luckily, the man’s neighbours heard the noise of his smoke alarm and, after spotting the flames, went inside the house in Dinnington where they found the occupant sleeping in the living room.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire and the man, in his 50’s, didn’t require hospital treatment.

A spokesman for SYFR said: “Had it not been for the prompt actions of this man’s neighbours he may not have woken up.

“Chip pans should never be left unattended and people should not attempt to cook after drinking alcohol.”