FIREFIGHTERS are issuing a safety warning after a man whose smoke alarms were faulty accidentally left a hob on and had to be treated by paramedics.

The warning came after Maidstone fire crews were called to Carlton Gardens in Loose, near Maidstone, at around 7.40pm on Thursday.

They discovered a plastic deep fat fryer had been left on the cooker, which had then been inadvertently switched on.

Ambulance crews were also called, and treated the man for smoke inhalation. The property’s kitchen was only slightly damaged by smoke.

Firefighters fitted new smoke detectors that evening and are now urging homeowners to make sure they have functioning smoke detectors fitted and regularly tested.