Firefighters have warned of the dangers of cooking after drinking - and suggested making a sandwich before going out or buying a takeaway.

It follows the rescue on Saturday of a man in Llanllechid, near Bangor, Gwynedd, from a fire that started when he fell asleep with the cooker on.

"Alcohol can cause people to become oblivious to danger," said Gwyn Jones of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

The man in his 30s did not hear a smoke alarm, but a neighbour called 999.

The man was led outside to safety by firefighters and was treated by paramedics at the scene for smoke inhalation.

"Our advice is to never cook after drinking - please prepare a sandwich before you go out or get a takeaway instead"

The fire was caused by a cooking pan left unattended.

Clear warning

Mr Jones said: "This incident acts as a clear warning that drinking and cooking simply don't mix.

It appears that this man has switched on the hob to cook himself something to eat but had fallen asleep."

He added: "We are growing increasingly frustrated at attending incidents where the lives are being put at risk because of basic fire safety ignorance.

"Our advice is to never cook after drinking - please prepare a sandwich before you go out or get a takeaway instead."

The service said it offered free home fire safety checks.