STUDENTS at college accommodation in St Martins were evacuated in the early hours of Tuesday morning after a pan left on a cooker caught fire.

Acrid smoke poured through the corridors and an 18-year-old girl was rush to hospital by ambulance suffering from severe smoke inhalation.

The drama started at 12.45am when the alarms were set off by the smoke.

Up to 20 students were evacuated and it is believed the 18-year-old girl who suffered from smoke inhalation may have been trying to put out the fire.

By the time firefighters arrived smoke had spread right through the second floor.

The incident has prompted firefighters to warn the public of the dangers of leaving pans on the cooker unattended.