A MAN accidentally started a fire in his kitchen after falling asleep with noodles on the hob.

He had been to the pub before returning home to Mayfield Flats, off Bolton Road, Darwen, just after 10pm on Friday.

The man slept through his smoke alarm and only stirred when neighbours, who had heard the alarm, banged on his door and shouted through the letter box.

Darwen watch manager Tom Ashworth said the man, in his 40s tried to deal with the fire himself and in his panic, put the pan of noodles in his bin.

When fire crews arrived, they moved the flaming bin outside and cleared the flat of light smoke, as well as issuing the occupant advice.

Mr Ashworth said: “Drinking and cooking don’t mix.

“We would always advise people to get out if there’s a fire and call 999.

“The neighbours have done a very good job by raising the alarm.”

The ambulance service attended but was not needed.