An intoxicated man who went to sleep while cooking has a smoke alarm and an alert neighbour to thank for his life, Wanganui Fire Service assistant area commander Jemal Weston says.
His story was a perfect example of the reason for the "Don't Drink and Fry" ad campaign.
The Fire
Service was called at 2.32am by the man's neighbour in Kauri St, Wanganui. She had said his house was full of smoke and she could see a pot on the stove.
When two fire trucks had arrived at the Gonville address firefighters had put on breathing gear, broken into the locked house, turned off the stove and taken the pot - moments away from bursting into flame - outside.
When they had searched for occupants senior firefighter Seton Brown had found a man asleep in the lounge, with the single smoke alarm still going.
