A family is today counting the cost of a blaze which tore through their kitchen and left a man suffering from smoke inhalation.

Firefighters were called to the incident in Gordon Road, Ipswich, at 11.35am yesterday.

When they arrived at the scene they discovered that a man was trapped inside.

Wearing breathing apparatus, firefighters entered the home and led him to safety.

Jim Golder, the fire service’s watch manager, said: “One person had already managed to vacate the property. However a young man – who works shifts and was asleep at the time – was still inside.

“Our crews rescued him and tackled the fire, however the kitchen was severely damaged and there was substantial smoke damage.”

Paramedics treated him for smoke inhalation at the scene.

The man’s mum told the Star that she was pleased that her son, who had been woken by a fire alarm, had not been injured.

Councillor Colin Spence, the county Council’s portfolio holder for public protection, said: “This incident shows just how important it is to have properly fitted and maintained smoke alarms in every home in Suffolk.”