Three people rushed to safety and two kittens had to be rescued when a pan caught fire in Whitefield yesterday afternoon.

Three fire engines from Whitefield, Broughton and Bolton North were called to Bury New Road at 3.05pm.

A pan of cooking food had gone up in flames and, while the three residents rushed to safety outside, firefighters had to rescue two kittens from inside the property.

Whitefield crew manager Paul Mills said the fire did not spread from the pan but caused serious smoke damage to the property.

He added: “Two firefighters had to use breathing apparatus to tackle the fire. There were flames on top of the cooker and a lot of black smoke coming out of the property.

“I would like to remind people not to leave cooking food unattended.”

Crews were on the scene for an hour.