A member of the public alerted firefighters to a potential house fire after hearing a smoke alarm sounding.

Three fire engines from Barnsley and Cudworth stations were called to a property on Carr Green Lane in Mapplewell, Barnsley at 10:30am on Wednesday morning following reports of smoke in the property.

Crews found a pile of damp washing in a basket on top of an electric hob which had been left on by accident.  The basket and clothing had begun to smoke, which activated the smoke alarm.  Luckily a passer by heard the alarm and went to investigate.

Watch Manager Gavin Jones said; “It is without a shadow of doubt that without the smoke alarm and the actions of the passer by this incident would have been a very serious kitchen fire.

“This is a reminder to everyone just how valuable smoke alarms are.  I would ask all residents to make sure they have working smoke alarms on every level of their home and to test them on a regular basis.”