Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

St Clare Street, Penzance at 24/05/2003 23:00

2 crews from Penzance attended a chip pan fire which although was out on arrival had filled the flat with smoke. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the flat to check that the fire was fully out and to ventilate. An ambulance crew attended to care for one person with smoke inhalation.

Considering this fire was in a block of flats and at a time when other occupants may have been asleep, had the fire taken hold it would have put residents at serious risk. The Brigade continually attempts to make people aware of the very real dangers of cooking with chip pans.

With this in mind please note the following safety advice:

Cooking appliances cause about 50% of all accidental fires, causing 70 deaths and 5000 injuries per year. Chip pans are the biggest single cause of fires in the home. If a chip pan catches fire, follow these safety tips:·

The chip pan must never be filled more than one third full of fat/oil·

Dry the food before putting it into hot fat·

Never add food to the pan if it is giving off smoke· Never leave the pan unattended

1. Turn off the heat

2. Cover with a damp cloth or lid and do not move it

3. Leave for a least 30 minutes

NEVER PUT WATER ONTO THE FIRE

If in any doubt don't put your self in danger, leave the room, close the door, call the Fire Brigade. Stay outside.

Related item: www.cornwall.gov.uk/fire/fsafety/fs01c.htm