TWO Widnes houses were severely damaged in separate early morning fires after occupants left cookers unattended.

The kitchen of a house in Kershaw Street was gutted in a blaze, just before 1am on Sunday.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus cleared thick, dense smoke with special ventilation fans.

A few hours later, they had to break into a house in Bower Street after a cooker caught fire.

A pan had been left on a stove and burst into flames.

Firefighters this week warned people of the dangers of preparing hot food when you may be feeling tired and drowsy after a night out.

A spokesman said: "Don't cook food in the early hours of the morning.

"It is much safer to make a sandwich or buy some chips or a takeaway on the way home."