AN unattended chip pan sparked a fire that severely damaged a kitchen yesterday.

Fire crews were called to the semi-detached house in Rose Crescent, Fencehouses, between Houghton-le-Spring and Chester-le-Street, County Durham, at about 3.35pm.

Appliances, including the pan, an electric cooker, washing machine and microwave oven were destroyed in the fire. Other rooms suffered slight smoke damage.

The householders, who were unhurt, were given two smoke alarms by firefighters, as none had been fitted.