FIREFIGHTERS are warning homeowners about the dangers of leaving their gas oven on.

It follows a small fire at a flat in Bembridge Close in Park North, where the owner forgot to turn off the oven after cooking a pizza.

The resident was asleep and oblivious to the drama. But neighbours downstairs heard the smoke alarm go off and dialled 999.

When the fire crew arrived the fire had already burnt itself out.

But firefighters went into the home to bring the remale resident out and check she was okay.

The occupant, who did not want to be named, said: "I had cooked a pizza earlier in the evening and forgotten all about the oven and went to sleep.

"The next thing I knew I was being woken up by this big burly fireman."

Although small, the fire generated a lot of smoke, and firefighters had to use breathing apparatus to get to the woman.

They were then able to open windows and let the smoke escape.

Assistant Divisional Officer Phil Jones, of Wiltshire Fire Brigade, said leaving ovens on was still one of the most common causes of house fires.

He said: "It tends to happen after people have come home after a nice evening out, and they fancy a snack to eat, like a few chips. Then they fall asleep and forget about it.

"Eventually the food catches fire which then sets the appliance on fire, and that can lead to the fire getting out of control.

"Fortunately the lady in this case had smoke alarms in her flat."