Firefighters are warning residents about the dangers of leaving cooking unattended after a chip pan fire in Folkestone.

Crews attended the blaze in a flat in Shakespeare Terrace in the early hours of this morning.

A man had fallen asleep after starting to cook chips and was woken when the smoke alarm started sounding.

The pan had overheated and caught alight causing damage to the hob and filling the kitchen with smoke.

The man quickly smothered the pan with a damp towel before leaving the flat and raising the alarm.

Neighbours evacuated their homes after he alerted them to the fire.

"This incident highlights just how vital a working smoke alarm is in alerting you to a fire in your home." Folkestone watch manager John Howard

Two fire engines attended the scene and crews wore breathing apparatus before removing the pan from the stove, isolating the electrics and making the scene safe.

They then cleared smoke from the flat with a positive pressure fan.

Paramedics attended but the man did not need hospital treatment.

Watch manager John Howard, from Folkestone fire station, said: "Our advice would be to take extra care in the kitchen and to avoid leaving pans unattended.

"We would also recommend against cooking when you are tired or late at night - instead opt for a snack that doesn’t require cooking."

He added: "This incident highlights just how vital a working smoke alarm is in alerting you to a fire in your home. In this case, the occupant was able to get out safely and also able to warn his neighbours."

Crews also tested smoke alarms and issued advice to residents in the block.