A FIRE chief has issued a plea after blazes at two houses within hours in Keighley.

Firefighters were called out first to Prospect Mount, and then West Lane, this afternoon.

In both cases, there were no smoke detectors in the properties.

The crews installed some before leaving.

"Smoke alarms give you vital extra minutes and can save lives," said watch commander Ahsan Ali, of Keighley Fire Station.

"Every home should have working alarms fitted."

Crews from Keighley, Bingley and Silsden were called out to Prospect Mount shortly before 12.30pm.

A fire had broken out in the kitchen of the semi-detached house.

The firefighters wore four breathing apparatus sets and used two hose reels to bring the blaze under control.

No one was in the property at the time, but a budgie was rescued from the living room.

Fire damage was restricted to the kitchen, but the whole house was smoke-affected.

The alarm had been raised by a neighbour.

Crews were then called to West Lane at 4.10pm, to deal with a fire in a tumble dryer.

Keighley, Bingley and Shipley firefighters attended.

The fire was confined to the utilities room housing the tumble dryer.

The cause of both fires was under investigation, but neither was being treated as suspicious.