A FIRE started inside a flat after a pensioner left biscuits and a chipping board on a kitchen hob.

Fire crews were called to the blaze at St Philips Court, a sheltered housing accommodation based in Blackburn, at around 6.45pm on Friday.

One of the residents, an elderly woman, left a small wooden chipping board and food on one of the hobs inside the kitchen.

She had forgot the hob was on at the time before the fire started, crews said.

The homeowner suffered no injuries and no one was else was reported injured. The St Philip's Street flat was left smoke logged, crews said.

Blackburn's watch manager John Riley has called on residents to be be more vigilant and careful when cooking food.

In a message to residents, he said: "This is the second time in two days where we have dealt with fires involving a hob.

"I would urge residents not to put things on top of the cooking hob. Keep it clear when using it."