Smoke alarms fitted by firefighters helped save a Rhyl couple from a chip pan fire in their home this afternoon.

Firefighters from Rhyl were called to the house onRiver Street, Rhyl at 14:17hrs this afternoon, Thursday February 28.

The couple were alerted by smoke alarms fitted as part of a home fire safety check and were able to escape the property safely.

The fire caused 60% light smoke damage to the kitchen of the property and was thought to have been caused by a chip pan left unattended.

Gwyn Jones, Community Safety Manager for Denbighshire and Conwy said: "This incident demonstrates the life saving properties of smoke alarms - they alerted the occupants of the fire and allowed them to escape the property safely.

"Chip pans can be extremely dangerous - We are finding that thankfully the number of chip pan fires is going down and people are listening to our warnings - but residents must remain vigilant as this incident goes to show. It is all too easy to turn your back and see a full blown fire develop in a matter of minutes if you do not cook safely. Our message is still to get rid of your chip pan and get a deep fat fryer instead, which is far safer.

"Leaving a chip pan unattended for any length of time can have disastrous results as the oil can easily overheat and ignite. A simple switch from the pan to the oven or a temperature controlled deep-fat fryer can help prevent the worst.

"To find out more about fire safety and have free smoke alarms fitted in your home, register for a free home fire safety check by visiting www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk  or call our 24 hour hotline free on 0800 169 1234."