A WOMAN who raised the alarm after her neighbour fell asleep while food was cooking in the oven said she was glad he was not badly hurt.

Firefighters rescue the man from a flat in Elmstead Road, Colchester, at 9.30am on Friday. He was found sleeping in another room after the blaze began in the kitchen.

The man was taken to hospital by paramedics after suffering from smoke inhalation.

His neighbour called the emergency services after hearing his smoke alarm from his home.

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She said: “The fire alarm woke me up.

“I didn’t think anything of it but after five minutes it was still going off.

“I went into the communal hall to see if could smell smoke but couldn’t.

“I have not lived here long so do not really know anyone but called 999 and explained that I hoped I was not wasting their time.

“They were here within four minutes.

“Thankfully, they got him out safely and he was taken to hospital with the ambulance crew.

“I am glad he is alive and it was not much worse.”

The woman was praised by watch manager Richard Lark for reacting to the alarm and said it crucial everyone had smoke alarms in their homes.