Firefighters from Barnsley, Tankersley and Rotherham were called to reports of a kitchen fire this weekend (Saturday 18 February).

Upon arrival they found a man suffering from smoke inhalation after attempting to extinguish a fire in his property.

The fire, which was in the kitchen, started after he’d turned a chip pan on after having a few drinks. He’d then fallen asleep.

Crews provided the man with oxygen therapy before fitting two smoke alarms and providing fire safety advice – including:

• Never smoke in bed, this is a common cause of fire deaths
• Don’t cook drunk, get a takeaway instead
• Ditch the traditional chip pans!

The fire itself was out on arrival, with some fire damage in the kitchen and smoke damage across the whole first floor. Despite this, officers have stressed that it could have been much worse.