People are being warned about the dangers of leaving cookers unguarded after a woman fell asleep while boiling a pan of water.

Her house in Hightown, Cleckheaton, was badly smoke damaged during the incident at 12.30am today.

A neighbour saw thick blue smoke billowing from the woman's kitchen but, having failed to get the attention of the sleeping resident through the window, called the fire service.

Firefighters from Cleckheaton, who made the scene safe, said the incident should act as a warning to others.