A house fire in Elkhart could have been a disaster for someone who fell asleep while cooking.

It happened around 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sep. 13, at the home on Cassopolis Street.

The resident fell asleep with grease warming up on the stove to make french fries, which overheated and set the kitchen ablaze.

Neighbors woke the man after they noticed the smoke and flames, and he was able to get out of the house without injury.

The fire did an estimated $3,000 in damage to the home.