FIREFIGHTERS are appealing for people to take care while cooking after two elderly residents were left with smoke-logged homes in Blackburn.

Crews from the town's fire station and neighbouring Hyndburn were called out to homes in Croston Close and Roe Lee Park within 30 minutes on Tuesday night.

MORE TOP STORIES:

In the first incident, in Croston Close, a woman in her 80s had become distracted with a pan on the hob, at around 8.30pm.

And in the second call-out, a man, also in his 80s, was in the same difficulty, at his Roe Lee Park home, just after 8.55pm.

Smoke detectors activated in both properties and alerted a care line company, who called out the fire service on each occasion. Neither elderly person was injured and ventilation fans were used to clear the properties.

The two incidents have prompted firefighters to issue a reminder to householders about leaving food unattended on cookers.

Watch manager Lee Garnett said: "Both occupants were found inside the properties on our arrival and potentially could have been injured due to the smoke.

"When cooking, please do not leave the room or be distracted without first switching off the appliance and removing the food."