FIREFIGHTERS smashed down a door in Katesgrove to rescue a sleeping man from a kitchen fire early this morning.

A neighbour raised the alarm at around 2.30am and firefighters from Caversham Road rushed to the ground floor flat in Elizabeth Walk which was full of thick smoke.

The blaze was sparked after the occupant left food in the oven then fell asleep and firefighters broke through the door and used breathing apparatus to pull him to safety.

The man was treated for smoke inhalation while the crew turned off the oven, removed the burnt material and ventilated the property.