FIREFIGHTERS were called in the early hours of Tuesday as smoke alarms activated when a pan of cooking oil was left unattended at a flat in Birkenhead.

The occupier was apparently unaware the alarms were sounding, but fire crews roused him and led him to safety.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service was called at 4.35am to Beckwith Street. 

Officers will be visiting the block of flats again this week to highlight the dangers of leaving cooking unattended.

The resident was uninjured, but the kitchen and two other rooms were damaged by smoke.

Birkenhead fire station watch manager Andy Blyth, who attended the incident, said: “This was a frying pan of oil that had been left cooking unattended.

“Smoke alarms activated and alerted the fire and rescue service. The occupier of the flat was still inside the property when we arrived but we managed to rouse him and lead him to safety.

“This fire had the potential to be a lot worse.

“ Luckily the pan was just smoking rather than on fire.

"We’ll be visiting flats in the block over the next few days to highlight home fire safety advice and the importance of not leaving food cooking unattended.”

Appliances from Birkenhead, Wallasey and Upton attended. Firefighters had left the scene by 5.25am.

The occupier received precautionary checks by paramedics at the scene.

To request a home fire safety check for yourself or a neighbour, telephone call 0800 7315958 or go online the fire service website here.

For free fire safety advice, call 0800 731 5958.