A woman had to be rescued from her home in Dartford last night after she fell asleep while cooking.

Kent Fire and Rescue said the woman had a working smoke alarm and her neighbours to thank for saving her life last night in Dartford last night.

The woman slept when the alarm went off, but neighbours heard it and called the fire brigade.

They had to break down the door and rescue her.

Watch Manager Lee Able said: "The response by the neighbours on hearing the smoke alarm sounding almost certainly saved this woman’s life.

"This incident highlights the importance of never leaving cooking unattended. If you leave the room, turn the heat off.

"Luckily the woman was okay and the property suffered only smoke damage."

This morning the woman was said to be too embarrassed to talk about the incident.