FIREFIGHTERS have warned of the dangers of leaving pans unattended after a man died following a chip pan fire.

The man, named by neighbours as Steve Livesey, 25, was found by neighbours at Ennerdale Road home, Shadsworth, Blackburn, on Thursday. He was dead when paramedics and fire crews arrived.

The coroner has been informed and a post mortem examination carried out.

Aidan Fortune, station officer at Blackburn, said early indications were that he died from the effects of smoke.

And Mr Fortune warned that leaving pans unattended can easily lead to fatalities.

He said: "The coroner is awaiting toxicology results and only he can give the cause of death. But the deceased had smoke around his nose and mouth. The fumes that are given off can kill before the pan even ignites.

"Incidents like this are above the national average in Lancashire, and I know that we have a problem in the east of the county.

"Despite our campaigns people are still leaving pans cooking."