THREE residents had to evacuate their Hampshire home when an unattended chip pan went up in flames this morning.

Fire crews rushed to Knobes Avenue, Gosport, and put the blaze out by putting the lid over it.

The fire started at 12.40am and was confined to the pan with little damage caused.

Watch manager Simon Whelan said: "They had just forgotten about the chip pan and were very lucky the fire was not worse and the alarm raised.

"We try to educate people to get equipment with thermostats on not use pans but if they do not to leave them alone."