FIREFIGHTERS were called after a faulty cooker caused a kitchen fire at a house in Gomersal yesterday afternoon.

Crews from Cleckheaton and Batley attended the incident at the property on Fusden Lane, just before 5pm.

They found the small blaze had been caused by a faulty thermostat in a portable oven, which had been placed on top of a chopping board and set alight.

Cleckheaton White Watch Commander Dave Rawnsley said: "Because the fire had been picked up so early by smoke alarms in the property, we were able to prevent any damage.

"It just highlights how valuable having working smoke detectors is."