A smoke alarm coupled with closed doors saved a homeowners life when the kitchen in their bungalow caught fire.

Cambs Times: Firefighters survey the damage after the fire.Firefighters survey the damage after the fire. (Image: Archant)

Station Commander Jamie Johnson, officer in charge, said: “A working smoke alarm has potentially saved this resident’s life.

“The resident was asleep on the sofa when the smoke alarm woke him up. He investigated, discovered a fire, got out the property and called the fire service.

“This is an excellent example of why every household should make sure they have a working smoke alarm that is tested regularly.

“This was a well established fire upon our arrival and the hard work of the crews prevented the whole building being destroyed. The fire had taken hold in the kitchen and had spread to the roof.

“Significant damage has been caused to the kitchen area of the property but thankfully, the resident has closed two other doors to other rooms in the bungalow, and it is because of these actions that those rooms have not been damaged at all by the fire.

“We would encourage residents to keep doors closed in their properties as good practise to help prevent fire spread.”

The fire crew arrived at 12.49am on Tuesday (3). One crew from Whittlesey, one crew from Stanground and one crew from Thorney were called to the kitchen fire in Teal Road, Whittlesey.

Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reels and jets to extinguish the fire by 2.35am.

They also used equipment to cut away at the roof to ventilate the property and ensure the fire was fully extinguished.

Crews returned to their stations by 5am.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.