IT was a lucky escape for a Holsworthy resident after an unattended smouldering pan of burnt food was extinguished after the alarm was sounded.

A spokesperson for Holsworthy Fire Station said: “Whilst on the way back from a school safety visit at Shebbear College, the crew were mobilised to a residential fire alarm at a property. The property was lightly smoke logged, occupier not home and a strong smell of burning food.

“Our crew found a smouldering pan of burnt food on the hob with it still switched on. We removed the pan and its contents from the property to extinguish outside and ventilated the flat using a PPV fan and checking with a gas monitor in order to leave the scene safe for the returning and very grateful occupant.”