THREE men, two women and a dog were rescued by firemen after a blaze broke out in the kitchen of a semi-detached house in Breightmet early today.

Fire and ambulance crews were called to Glaister Lane at 5.35am after a chip pan left unattended on a cooker sparked a small blaze.

A 20-year-old man began to cook chips then fell asleep on a downstairs sofa. A 17-year-old woman was also asleep as the fire started.

Two men, aged 43 and 33, and a 51-year-old woman were trapped upstairs by thick black smoke. One dialled 999 then they passed house keys to firemen from an upstairs window and the couple downstairs were rescued. The three upstairs were then led to safety. All five were treated by paramedics for the effects of breathing smoke. They declined hospital treatment.

Station Officer Jim O'Byrne said: "The three upstairs woke to find the house full of smoke then a woman dialled 999. The two downstairs were oblivious. Food cooking on a stove should never be left unattended." A battery had also been removed from a smoke alarm, which fire crews said would have alerted the occupants if it had been working.

The dog, a springer spaniel called Sasha, was unhurt. A number of damaged units were removed from the kitchen.