Kitchen fire leaves family homeless

Crews have issued safety advice after a kitchen fire in Great Hallingbury has left a family homeless. 

Firefighters were called to Mead Field Drive, Great Hallingbury at 7.49pm last night. 

The resident had accidentally left items on top of the hob and left to go to work. 

Crew Manager Steve Perry said: "When we arrived the fire was already out but house was full of smoke. We believe items were accidentally left on top of the hob which set alight, the fire spreading to the surrounding kitchen appliances.

"It's incredibly easy to accidentally turn your hob on and if that happens and something is on top of it, a kitchen fire is inevitable. So please, keep your hob and oven clean and clear of clutter at all times."

The family has been rendered homeless due to the smoke damage. 

Sadly, one cat died at the scene. 

Hob and cooker top tips: 

• Never use the hob or cooker as a storage area 
• Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob 
• Keep the oven, hob and grill clean, and in good working order – a build-up of fat and grease can ignite a fire 
• Double check the cooker is off when you've finished cooking