Crews issue advice after kitchen fire
Crews have issued safety advice after a kitchen fire at a house in Chigwell.
We were called to Lee Grove today at 10.08am and firefighters from Loughton and Woodford (London Fire Brigade) attended.
Watch Manager Marc Lemon said: "Cooking oil in a pan had overheated and caught fire.
"The occupants were alerted by a smoke alarm but unfortunately they threw water on the fire, which caused the oil to explode.
"At that point, they got out and called 999."
Crews extinguished the fire by 10.35am and used a fan to clear the smoke.
The kitchen was 100 per cent damaged by smoke and fire.
Watch Manager Lemon said: "If your cooking oil catches fire, try to take it off the heat if it is safe to do so and then get out, call 999 out and stay out.
"Never throw water on a cooking oil fire.
"This incident also shows the importance of closing internal doors if possible, to prevent smoke from spreading throughout your home."
Cooking with oil
- Take 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 where possible. They can’t overheat
- If your pan catches fire, turn off the heat if it is safe to do so and never throw water over it
