Working smoke alarms alert neighbour to kitchen fire

Firefighters are highlighting the importance of having working smoke alarms at home after a neighbour called us to a kitchen fire in Colchester.

Crews were called to Lordswood Road at 9:09am after a neighbour heard smoke alarms going off and could see smoke. The neighbour acted quickly to call us.

On arrival, crews reported that the kitchen of a house was heavily smoke logged and there was a small fire on the hob.

Crews extinguished the fire by 9:36am. Firefighters believe it was caused when a cat turned the hob on and items on top of the hob caught alight.

Watch Manager Doc Holliday from Colchester Fire Station said: “Please keep your hob clear at all times, we often see pets turning hobs on when they’re exploring and anything on top of the hob can catch alight. Make sure to clear your hob after cooking and keep it clear.

“The neighbour did really well to act quickly when she heard smoke alarms going off and called us when she saw the smoke. It shows how important it is to have working smoke alarms at home. They don’t just alert you to a fire, they can also alert neighbours and passers-by if you’re not home. 

“After we extinguished the fire, we spoke to the residents in the houses nearby to make sure they all had working smoke alarms.  If we missed you and you’d like to talk to our team about fire safety or having some smoke alarms fitted by our team for free, please call 0300 303 0088 or visit: www.essex-fire.gov.uk/book.”