Three kitchen fires in the space of 45 minutes could have been much worse on Thursday tea time.

In two of the incidents, the prompt action of firefighters stopped events from developing into a potentially serious situation.

The first of the calls, at around 5.50pm, saw firefighters from Mansfield Road and Central stations using breathing apparatus and hose reel jets to put out a chip pan fire on Manor Oaks Garden, Park Hill.

No one was hurt in the incident, but a fire service spokesman said: "Chip pan fires can prove deadly. The fire spreads quickly and can engulf a property in thick, black smoke within seconds. We urge people to replace chip pans with a thermostatically-controlled deep fat fryer, or use oven chips."

In the other tea time incidents, a grill pan accidentally left on in a house on Archdale Road, Manor, was found to be safe upon the arrival of firefighters; and firefighters from Barnsley had to force entry to a flat on Huddersfield Road, Darton, when neighbours spotted smoke coming out from under the front door. Green watch found a grill pan had been left on and unattended by an occupier who had gone out.

Later on Thursday evening, another grill pan left on caused smoke logging to a kitchen on Bray Walk, Kimberworth. The fire was out when crews from Rotherham arrived.