A MAN was led to safety after a fire started in his kitchen.

Around 15 firefighters from Christchurch, Redhill Park and Springbourne attended the fire in a property in Birch Drive, Townsend estate, Bournemouth just after 11pm last night.

They discovered a fire in the kitchen area of the home and led one male to safety.

Springbourne Watch Manager, Daniel Perrett said: "Neighbours were alerted to the occupant's smoke alarms going off and called us out immediately.

"We discovered that a pan had been left unattended on the cooker and that the occupant was unaware of the danger he could have been in had we not been called thanks to the smoke alarms and neighbours quick reactions.

"The pan was also next to a chip pan which fortunately had not been in use. If it had been the chip pan involved, the fire could have been much more significant.

"Luckily the occupant was led to safety by fire crews and suffered no long term effects. Had the smoke alarms not been working and sounding, it could have been a much worse outcome."