An overcooked pot of pigs' ears sparked an emergency call in Darwin yesterday.

Police broke in to a house filled with smoke in the suburb of Marrara and discovered that the pot of pigs' ears had been left on the stove.

Emergency Services had received reports the house was on fire.

Northern Watch Commander Daniel Sheen says no-one was at home when police arrived.

"The owner came home when the police were there,'' he said.

"She was embarrassed to say that she had gone out and left her pigs' ears on the stove.

"If you're going to cook, don't leave home."

The house was not seriously damaged.

Police said they were unaware of what recipe the pigs' ears were intended for.