A FIRE broke out in the kitchen of a Keighley flat which had been fitted with new smoke alarms only one week before.

The fire started in a basement flat shortly before 10pm last night. (February 1)

Fire engines from Keighley and Silsden stations responded to the incident in North Street, which was caused by food left on a cooking hob.

Keighley crew commander Neal Andrews-Parry said: "The property was filled with thick, acrid smoke, you couldn't see anything. The occupant had got himself outside by the time we got there.

"The building is multiple occupancy, with a number of flats, and we'd only fitted smoke alarms in it the week before.

"The alarm in the flat had gone off, which shows how these devices are worth their weight in gold. It's important that people either check their own smoke alarms or contact us to have them fitted."

Crew commander Andrews-Parry added that there was severe damage to the kitchen, with the rest of the flat smoke logged.

The fire crews used breathing apparatus and a ventilation fan to help fight the flames and get rid of the smoke.