CLOTHING left on top of an electric cooker caused a Chester flat to catch fire in the early hours of Sunday (May 26).

Fire crews were called to the flat, on Derwent Road at 3.46am to extinguish a smouldering fire that had started when clothing was left on top of the cooker.

A special fan had to be used to clear the smoke and a woman and teenage girl were taken to hospital for a precautionary check.

A Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson urged homeowners to be aware of the dangers of leaving clothing on hot surfaces.