SMOKE detectors raised the alarm after a pan of food left cooking caught alight.

Fire crews from Bolton Central and Bolton North were called to a terraced house in Bradshaw Brow on Friday night.

The woman who is thought to be retired was able to escape the property.

The smoke from the fire started seeping through into a neighbouring terraced property, which was also visited by crews to make sure it was ok.

The fire damaged the cooker and kitchen units were also damaged.

Fire crews contained the blaze and no further damage was done to adjoining rooms or buildings, though the property was smoke logged.

The fire broke out as Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service released figures showing that in Greater Manchester between 2014/15 and 2016/17, 67 per cent of all accidental house fires started in the kitchen.

The top three sources were the cooker, the grill/toaster and a separate ring/hot plate.

Firefighters were called at around 9.30pm and were on the scene for around one and half-hours.

Crew Manager at Bolton North said: "The woman got out of the property and called us out after the smoke alarms alerted her.

"The house was smoke logged and the fire caused damage to the units."

Next door neighbour, Dennis Rylance, aged 60, said: "I was in the house and smoke started coming in so we had a look outside and could see there was smoke coming from her house.

"Her cooker was on fire so I called the fire brigade and they were here in less than five minutes.

"I didn't have working smoke alarms and the fire brigade have since fitted two for me."

Residents are advised to check their smoke alarms at least once a week.

For a free home safety assessment ring 0800 555 815.