Fire crews were alerted to the blaze at Orchard Lane after another neighbour heard a smoke alarm and called the emergency services.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service have appealed to residents to take advantage of its home fire safety check service and not leave cooking unattended.

Appliances from Doncaster and Thorne spent half an hour extinguishing the fire - which was contained within the kitchen after receiving the call shortly before 7.30pm yesterday.

The property, belonging to a married couple with a child, was empty at the time of the blaze.

The kitchen suffered severe smoke damage. However, fire bosses insist the damage could have been significantly worse had the property not been fitted with a smoke alarm just two months ago.

To apply for a home fire safety check, which includes the free fitting of a smoke alarm, call South Yorkshrie Fire and Rescue on 0114 253 2314 or visit www.syfire.gov.uk.