Kitchen fire caused by cooking oil

Crews were called to a fire in a kitchen in a first-floor flat. 

On arrival firefighters reported that the kitchen was completely alight and worked to extinguish the fire by 6.33pm.

Station Manager Craig McLellan, Basildon Fire Station, said:

"Firefighters worked really well to contain the fire to the flat and stop it spreading to other properties or communal areas.

"The fire started after a pan of oil caught alight and the resident then tried to extinguish it with water. 

"If you ever find yourself faced with a cooking oil fire never pour water on it or try to use a tea towel to extinguish it. So many people still follow this outdated advice and it's so dangerous. If you're in this situation just get out, stay out and call 999."

The kitchen has been left with fire damage and there is smoke damage throughout the flat.

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Wickford and Corringham Fire Stations are recruiting on-call firefighters.

If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station you could be paid to protect your community as an on-call firefighter.

Find out more at join.essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call