A MAN with mobility problems had to be rescued from his home by firefighters after a frying pan filled with eggs started burning.

Neighbours of the 68-year-old called 999 after initially trying to get access to the house in Baxter Road, Southampton.

But the owner, who suffers leg problems and uses a walking stick, had fallen to the floor between the hallway and kitchen and could not move.

Fire crews from Hightown and St Mary's responded to the emergency call at around 6.30pm last night where they had to break down the door with a steel enforcer to gain entry.

Two firefighters using breathing apparatus then went inside to get the man out, supplying oxygen to him outside while paramedics were called to the scene.

A spokesman from Hightown station said the property was not fire damaged but had a strong smell of cooking fumes.

He added: "The man had inhaled lots of cooking fumes but was still conscious when we got to him, just unable to move. Obviously we called the ambulance immediately and he was taken to hospital after being administered oxygen by ourselves."