A MAN and two infant children had a 'lucky escape' from a fire in a Poole flat in the early hours, Dorset Fire and Rescue Service says.

Just 10 minutes earlier, firefighters had rescued another man from a similar fire - also caused by unattended cooking - in the Kinson area of Bournemouth.

Fire crews from Redhill Park and Ferndown were on scene in Keeble Crescent, Kinson, within six minutes of 999 calls at around 1am.

They led the occupant to safety, put out the fire, ventilated the smoke-logged house and removed the badly burnt cooking.

The fire in Poole Road, Westbourne, was in the kitchen of a first floor flat.

Crews from Westbourne, Springbourne and Poole rescued one man and two infant children.

Paramedics treated them at the scene.

They then put out the blaze using two sets of breathing apparatus and one hose reel jet.

These incidents highlight the importance of turning off microwaves and ovens, and having working smoke alarms, a DFRS spokesman said.

Group manager Tim Spring said: "All in all the individuals involved have had a lucky escape."