Chip pan fire

Crews have issued safety advice after a chip pan fire in Westcliff.

Firefighters from Leigh and Southend attended reports of a kitchen fire in a ground floor flat in London Road last night at 11.11pm.

Temporary Crew Manager Grant Jones said: "One of the occupants put a pan of oil on the hob and went back to play a video game.

"The other occupant woke up and smelt the smoke. When they noticed the fire, they did the right thing - they got out, stayed out and called 999."

Crews extinguished the fire by 11.35pm and used a fan to clear the smoke. The kitchen was badly damaged.

Temporary Crew Manager Jones said: "Try not to get distracted if you are cooking - particularly if you are using hot oil. 

"Also, make sure you have working smoke alarms in your home. Unfortunately, the smoke alarms in this property were not working so the occupants did not get an early warning."

To arrange a free smoke alarm fitting, call 0300 303 0088 or visit essex-fire.gov.uk/book.

Cooking with oil?

• Take extra care when cooking with hot oil – it sets alight easily
• Make sure food is dry before putting it in hot oil so it doesn’t splash
• If the oil starts to smoke – it’s too hot.  Turn off the heat and leave it to cool
• Use a thermostat controlled electric deep fat fryer. They can’t overheat
• If your pan catches fire, turn off the heat if it is safe to do so
• Never throw water or a damp tea towel over a chip pan fire