Fire fighters were called to a Southampton block of flats last night, after a woman fell asleep while cooking her dinner.

The pan she had left on the hob at the flat in Telephone House, Briton St, caught fire and crew from St Mary’s fire station had to put the blaze out at around 9.45pm.

Crew Manager Peter Clarke says the fact a smoke alarm went off prevented a more serious fire.

He said: “If the flat hadn’t had a working smoke alarm, it could have been a lot worse.

“It really highlights the importance of fire safety.”