FIRE chiefs have issued a warning after an elderly man was rescued from his Middlesbrough home after a blaze broke out while he was cooking breakfast.

George Wilkinson, 85, was overcome by smoke from hot oil in a pan when it burst into flames.

He became disorientated and was found by firefighters. They led him from the house and tackled the fire while paramedics treated him for smoke inhalation.

The pensioner was taken to Middlesbrough General Hospital.

"Fires are happening all the time in old people's houses, but it is the first time it has happened to me," said Mr Wilkinson, who recently suffered a stroke.

"But someone rang the fire brigade. I have been to hospital and I am okay."

Fire crews from Middlesbrough were alerted to the blaze on Saturday morning by an automated smoke alarm in the bungalow, in Harrison Street, and arrived within four minutes.

Their prompt response was praised by Assistant Divisional Officer Alan Gill, who said their action undoubtedly saved the man's life and that the community should learn from the incident to avoid future tragedies.

He said prevention of the fire risk was preferable to tackling it, not only to the victim but because of the impact fatalities have on fire- fighters.

"When there is loss of life it is devastating for us and it sometimes takes months to get over," he said.

"It affects us because we provide a service to the community and we are there to save people.

"We would rather there not be any fires to put out in the first place."

He said that firefighters were prepared to visit homes in the force area to draw up a fire safety plan. This would include advice on fire detection and education about how to deal with fires safely.

Mr Gill said: "Old people are the most vulnerable in our community and we have got to look out for them."

For fire safety advice, contact (01429) 872 311.