FIREFIGHTERS broke down the front door of a house filling up with thick smoke after reports that there was someone inside.

Last night a neighbour called the fire service after hearing a smoke alarm and seeing a food pan left unattended and 'smoking' at a house on Whinberry Place, Birstall.

Three fire crews were sent to the property at 10.20pm, and after being told the house was occupied, opted to knock down the door to rescue whoever was inside.

Wearing breathing gear, they found a cooking pan had been left unattended in the kitchen, and was spewing out thick smoke that was fast spreading around the house.

They found the one occupant, a man in his 50s, asleep in bed.

It is though he had started to cook food after returning from a night out, but then forgot about it and went to bed.

He was treated for smoke inhalation and taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.

Chris Bell, watch commander of Cleckheaton Fire Station, said the incident was a warning of the dangers of cooking food after a night out. He said: "Luckily this man's bedroom door was quite thick so the smoke hadn't got into the room he was sleeping in.

"He'd come back home and put a shallow fry on but then gone to bed. I would remind anyone who goes out of the possible dangers of deciding to cook when you get home.

"The smoke alarm was working, and while he didn't hear it it shows how important they are, as it alerted the neighbour to the fire.

"It probably saved this man's life in this situation."