A SMOKE alarm saved lives last night when Southampton residents fell asleep with their dinner on the hob.

The two men, who had been drinking alcohol, had dozed off while their lamb chops were still cooking.

But luckily the flat residents from Hamwick House, in Onslow Road, were woken by their smoke alarm and called emergency services at 8.20pm.

Crews from St Mary's fire station evacuated neighbouring flats in the three-storey block and made the flat safe in just 15 minutes.

Crew manager Peter Clarke said the men were lucky they were woken by the alarm.

He said: “If they didn't have one, it could have been a lot worse.

“This highlights the importance of having a working smoke alarm in your property for your safety and the safety of your neighbours.”