A SMOKE alarm prevented a house being destroyed by fire after the owner left cooking unattended while he went out shopping.

Fire crews from Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon were called to a house in Orchard Road, Trowbridge, by neighbours who heard the smoke alarm on Friday.

When they arrived crews were told the occupier worked nights and might be in bed and the bedroom curtains were closed.

Two firefighters forced their way in and found the house empty, but the kitchen was severely damaged by fire and smoke.

A smoke alarm had been fitted in the house by firefighters last year as part of their Community Safety Programme.

Community safety officer Damien Bence said: "The incident highlights the dangers of leaving cooking unattended and the need to have a functioning smoke alarm."