A MAN came home to find his kitchen wrecked by fire.

He went out on Monday evening, but accidentally left a chip pan on at his flat at Newland Court, off Newlands Avenue, Birkby.

He only realised when he discovered it on his return at 11.30am yesterday.

Watch Manager Paul Mace, of Huddersfield fire station, said: "The fire had burned itself out, but badly damaged the kitchen, melting the blinds and fan.

"He was lucky the kitchen door was closed.

"It could have swept through his entire flat and put other residents in the block at risk."