A woman has had to be rescued from a smoke logged flat after falling asleep while cooking.

Firefighters have issued safety advice after the rescue in Mearns Place, Chelmsford, at 3.40pm yesterday.

Crews were called to reports of a fire in a ground floor flat and advised on arrival that the property was completely smoke logged.

The woman was led to safety by firefighters after leaving some food cooking on the hob, which then ignited after she fell asleep.

Watch Manager Stuart Hay, Chelmsford Fire Station, said: "This lady is incredibly lucky that this incident wasn't more serious after making the easy mistake of cooking while tired.

"I cannot stress enough how dangerous it is to leave food on the hob or in the oven when you're feeling sleepy - you might not think you're even in danger but a fire can quickly develop as it did here today. Please don't put your life in danger for the sake of a hot meal."

The fire was extinguished by 4.11pm. The flat has suffered minor smoke damage and the woman was left in the hands of the Ambulance Service after suffering from smoke inhalation