FIRE chiefs today urged people to use deep fat fryers instead of chip pans after a man was taken to hospital following a fire at his home.

Officers were called to the property, in Adelaide Terrace, Blackburn, about 4.15am today after a chip pan fire broke out in the kitchen.

The occupant was woken by his fire alarm and taken to Blackburn Infirmary suffering from smoke inhalation.

The kitchen was destroyed by the blaze.

Leading firefighter Tony Walmsley said: "We would urge people to use deep fat fryers instead of chip pans if they are going to cook late at night.

"These machines have thermostats on which turn themselves off if they are left on and get too hot."