FOUR fire engines rushed to a flat in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday, after a cooking blaze broke out.

Crews were sent to a ground floor flat on Lindfield Drive in Halliwell at around 3.30am after a neighbour was alerted by a smoke alarm in the property.

Firefighters gained access to the premises and discovered that there was no-one inside at the time and a pan of food was alight.

A hose reel was used to extinguish the flames and the flat occupant returned as the fire, which did not spread from the pan, was being put out.

A large amount of smoke had built up following the fire, including in the communal area, and firefighters stayed until they cleared it.

They were on the scene for around an hour.

Watch manager Andy Bolton says the incident highlights the importance of not leaving cooking unattended.