FIREFIGHTERS are urging people not to cook following a night out after a man had to be rescued from his flat.

A passerby had heard a smoke alarm from the man’s flat in Spring Bank Terrace, Blackburn, going off around 3.20am this morning.

He contacted firefighters immediately. When they arrived crews tried knocking on the door to wake the man up but he did not stir.

Firefighters then looked through the letterbox and saw smoke in the flat.

They forced open the door, woke the man up and walked him out to safety.

The grill pan had been turned on and the fat began smoking.

Firefighters said the man had been drinking and returned home to made some food but had fallen asleep after putting the grill on.

They are asking people to avoid cooking at home after a night out and to ensure they have smoke alarms fitted.

The man did not require any medical treatment.

Anyone wishing to have a free home fire safety check 0800 169 1125.