A woman who fell asleep while cooking chips this morning was saved by a smoke alarm, firefighters said.

A chip pan caught light at about 5am this morning when a woman who firefighters said was under the influence of alcohol, had begun making an early morning snack and fallen asleep.

Crews from Mitcham and Wimbledon stations were called to the first floor flat in Cobham Court, Haslemere Avenue in Mitcham this morning.

The female resident was unhurt and alerted firefighters after being woken up by a smoke alarm.

She was outside the property on a communal balcony when crews arrived.

Mitcham watch manager David Simpson said the kitchen was 20 per cent damaged by the fire.

He said: “Luckily she had a smoke alarm which woke her up and she was able to call us.

“There was thick black smoke.”

He said firefighters were there for about 20 minutes using hose reels and breathing apparatus to put out the small fire.

Neighbours on the Phipps Bridge Estate did not seem to realise.

“Incidents like this is why we preach about getting smoke alarms – it could have been a lot worse,” Mr Simpson added.