Smoke alarm saves the day

A smoke detector may have saved the life of a Whanganui man on Friday, the Fire Service said.

Firefighters were called to a Kupe Pl, Castlecliff flat shortly after 2am.

The sole male occupant had already awoken to the smoke detector alarm, as had neighbours.

A small stove top fire was extinguished, leaving only superficial damage.

"He was really lucky, the smoke alarm woke him and neighbours before he was overcome with smoke," senior station officer Craig Gardiner said.

"The smoke alarm did a great job."