Firefighters issue advice following kitchen fire

We are reminding residents to take extra care in the kitchen after cooking oil caused a house fire in Stoke-on-Trent.

Crews went to a home off Paragon Road, Longton, just before 10.45pm yesterday (Sunday 10 March) when the alarm was raised.

Firefighters put it out within 30 minutes.

A man was treated at the scene by paramedics from West Midlands Ambulance Service for smoke inhalation.

We investigated the cause and later found that the fire started accidentally. The homeowner was heating up cooking oil in a wok which then ignited and began to spread.

After the investigation was finalised, we installed additional smoke alarms inside the property.

Station Manager Ben Woodward, said: “More than 50 per cent of the fires we attend are caused by cooking. Distraction is the main cause of these fires, with pans and grills left to set alight because they’ve not been looked after properly. 

“It’s really important that when preparing for meal times we pay close attention to the food we’re cooking and look when we cook, otherwise the consequences could be fatal.”

Here are some tips on how to stay safe in the kitchen while cooking:

• Take any pans off the heat if you have to leave the room
• Do not use a chip pan, use a thermostat controlled electric deep fat fryer instead
• Do not leave children alone in the kitchen whilst cooking with the hob or oven
• Do not place anything metallic in the microwave
• Keep electrical leads away from water and keep electrical leads and cloths away from the hob
• Avoid cooking if you have been drinking alcohol
• Keep the oven and grill clean, a build-up of fat and grease may catch fire
• Take care if wearing loose clothing as it can easily catch fire particularly when using the hob
• When you have finished cooking, double check that you have turned off the oven
• Do not use matches or lighters to light gas cookers. Spark devices are safer.

For more safety advice, visit our website: Cooking safety (staffordshirefire.gov.uk)