FIREFIGHTERS have warned of the dangers of not having a smoke detector fitted following a kitchen fire this afternoon.

A crew from High Wycombe Fire Station were sent to deal with a small fire at a property in Walton Drive, Totteridge, at around 1pm.

There was no smoke detector at the house, which fire officers say could have had devastating consequences.

Watch Manager Steve Hawkins said: "There was somebody in but if they hadn't been there they wouldn't have had as early a warning as they might have done.

"People should have smoke detectors and we would be more than happy to fit them for people if they would like one."

Watch Manager Hawkins added the property has now had a detector properly fitted.

The cause of the fire has not been ascertained, but it is believed to have started in the cooker system. There were no reports of any injuries.