Kitchen fire - no working smoke alarms

Firefighters are highlighting the importance of having working smoke alarms after attending a kitchen fire earlier today.

Two crews from Harlow Fire Station were called to a kitchen fire in a terraced house in Harlow at 3:10pm.

On arrival, crews reported that there was a fire in the kitchen and worked to extinguish the fire by 3:34pm.

The fire had started in the oven.

Crew Manager Dave Lewis from Harlow Fire Station said: “After we extinguished the fire, we fitted two smoke alarms as the property had none.

“We recommend you have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home and you test them regularly, at least once a month.

“The residents were at home and spotted the fire quickly while they were cooking but if there had been a fire while they were asleep or out of the house, their smoke alarms would not alert them or their neighbours to a fire.

“If you or someone you know doesn’t have working smoke alarms at home, please get in touch with our home fire safety team for advice. Visit essex-fire.gov.uk/book or call 0300 303 0088.”

Do you have working smoke alarms in your home?

Smoke alarms save lives. They can alert your family as well as your neighbours and passers by to a fire in your home if you're not in.

We recommend you have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home and that you test them at least once a month.

If you or someone you know doesn’t have working smoke alarms at home, please get in touch with our Service. Visit essex-fire.gov.uk/book or call 0300 303 0088.