Hob fire

Firefighters are highlighting the importance of keeping your hob clear when you’ve finished cooking after a hob fire destroyed a kitchen in Holland-on-Sea this morning.

Crews were called to a flat fire in Kings Avenue, Holland-on-Sea at 8:56am.

On arrival, crews reported that a ground floor flat was heavily smoke logged with a fire in the kitchen.

Crews extinguished the fire and ventilated the property by 9:30am.

Firefighters believe the hob was accidentally switched on and caught fire to items on top and nearby.

Watch Manager Simon Tarrant from Clacton Fire Station said: “Please make sure to keep your hobs clear after cooking, they can be switched on accidentally and set alight to anything on top or nearby. If you keep your hob clear after you've finished cooking, you can really minimise the risk of a fire.

“We’d also like to highlight the importance of working smoke alarms. They can alert you, neighbours and passers-by to the first signs of a fire. If you or someone you know hasn’t got working smoke alarms, we can fit them for free. Visit essex-fire.gov.uk/book for more information.”