DORSET & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has this week reminded people to take care when cooking, especially when late at night and tired.

The warning follows an incident in Dorset when firefighters were called out at 1.41am on Thursday morning for a kitchen fire caused by pizza and chips being put into the oven by the occupant who then fell asleep while they burned.

Group Manager Katie Cornhill said: “This person was extremely fortunate that a neighbour saw smoke coming from the kitchen and raised the alarm, rousing them and also calling 999.

"There was smoke throughout the property, and this could have proved fatal had they not been woken up. We would urge anyone wanting a late night snack to either get a takeaway or not cook.”

She urged householders to never leave cooking unattended and to avoid cooking if they are tired, have been drinking alcohol or are taking medication that leaves you drowsy.

• Keep the oven, hob and grill clean as a build-up of fat or grease can catch fire when hot.

• Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob, and take care if you’re wearing loose clothing.

• Make sure children are never left alone in the kitchen when you’re cooking.

• Saucepan handles left sticking out create a danger – there’s a risk they could be caught, leading to the pans being knocked off the hob.

• Use spark devices to light gas cookers as they are safer than matches and lighters.

• Keep electrical leads and appliances away from water.

• Avoid using a chip pan – a thermostatically controlled deep fat fryer is far safer, as it can’t overheat.

• Make sure you have working smoke alarms in the property and check them regularly.

More fire safety advice can be found at www.dwfire.org.uk/safety-at-home