CREWS were called out to tackle a kitchen fire in Harwood.

Engines from Bolton North, Bury and Farnworth rushed to a house in Links Road at about 9am.

Firefighters discovered the blaze had started at the washing machine and put it out using two hose reels.

Richard Henthorne, watch manager at Bolton North, said nobody was in the property at the time.

He said: "The occupants had just gone to work and the property was quite damaged by the smoke.

"It was lucky there was nobody in the house at the time otherwise this could have been a lot worse."

He urged residents to try not to leave the washer and dryer on while houses are vacant.