Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

St Marys Road, Lanstephan, Launceston at 05/11/2008 18:11

Two fire appliances from Launceston were mobilised to reports of a kitchen fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the house, measuring six metres by ten metres, to find a chip pan on fire and the rest of the ground floor heavily smoke-logged. The crews used one hosereel to extinguish the fire and a positive pressure ventilation fan was used to clear the smoke.

General Fire Safety Advice:
Cook safely
Most kitchen fires occur when people are distracted or leave things unattended, so remember:
if you're called away from the cooker - by the phone or someone at the door, for example - take pans off the heat
don't let yourself be distracted while cooking
don't cook if you're affected by alcohol or prescription drugs
turn saucepans so that their handles don't stick out (and aren't over another ring)
don't put oven gloves or tea-towels down onto the hot cooker after you've used them
clean your grill pan after using it

Deep-Fat Frying
Deep-fat frying presents more dangers in your kitchen.

Chip pans are safe as long as you follow some simple guidelines. Before putting food in the pan dry the food, and test the temperature of the oil by putting in a small piece of bread. If the bread crisps quickly the oil is ready.
Remember:
never fill a chip pan (or other deep-fat fryer) more than one-third full of oil
never leave the pan unattended when the heat is switched on
never put the food in the pan if the oil begins to give off smoke. Turn off the heat and leave the oil to cool, otherwise it could catch fire
consider using a thermostatically controlled deep-fat fryer - this will ensure that the fat does not get too hot

For further Fire Safety advice, please follow the link below:

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=2084#frying