Smethwick man led to safety from chip pan fire
A Smethwick man who fell asleep and left a chip pan on the hob had to be led to safety after it caught fire.
The man, who was in his 60s, woke up coughing because of the smoke and called 999.
Crews from Smethwick and Ladywood tackled the flames in the kitchen at his property in Grange Road, just after 6pm yesterday.
Smethwick crew commander Tony Calder said: "The man had fallen asleep and left the pan on.
"He was very lucky considering he didn't have a smoke alarm. We'd advise everyone to have a smoke alarm."
The fire and smoke caused damage to the kitchen walls and ceiling.
The man was treated by paramedics but did not need to go to hospital.