By Hayley Robinson

A woman was lucky to escape with her life after sleeping through the noise of her fire alarm going off.

The woman, who is believed to be in her 40s, had nodded off on the sofa while a chilli and rice dish was cooking in the kitchen of her home in London Road, Teynham, last night.

While she lay sleeping, a boil in the bag rice started to burn and set off the smoke alarm.

But despite the alarm sounding, the woman failed to wake up. Luckily her neighbours heard the alarm and called the fire brigade.

One appliance from Sittingbourne and one from Teynham arrived at the scene just after 9.45pm.

The lights were on and the neighbours told the firefighters they believed someone was still inside.

As a result they gained entry to the property by breaking the door down.

Fortunately the only action needed was to remove the pan from the stove and place it outside.

The woman was given oxygen at the scene by firefighters. South East Coast Ambulance Service was also called. They assessed the woman at the scene but gave her the all-clear.

Adrian Boorman, crew manager at Sittingbourne fire station, said: "We have been running a campaign in the run-up to Christmas about not drinking and cooking and this was one of those occasions where it's come to fruition.

"Luckily the smoke alarm was working and the woman and her two dogs were all OK."