Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

Trevarth Road, Falmouth at 04/10/2008 02:50

Firefighters from Falmouth were very quickly in attendance at a fire in a kitchen of a terraced property. The fire involved a chip pan and had spread to the cooker hood. The occupants of the property had used a fire blanket to cover the fire in the chip pan before the arrival of the crews. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used one hosereel to ensure the fire was fully extinguished. A positive pressure ventilation fan was used to clear the smoke from the property.

General Fire Safety Advice:
Deep frying food
If you regularly deep-fry food, consider buying an electric deep-fat fryer. They have thermostats fitted so they can't overheat and are safer to use.
Dry food before putting it into hot oil, to prevent the oil from splashing and burning you.
If you don't have an electric deep-fat fryer and are using an ordinary pan, never fill it more than one-third full.
If the oil starts to smoke, it's too hot. Turn the heat off and leave it to cool.

If a pan catches fire
Don't take any risks - get everyone out of your home and call the Fire Brigade.

Don't move the pan and never throw water over it.
Turn off the heat under the pan (if it's safe to do so) and allow it to cool completely.

Related item: http://www.fire.gov.uk/Home+safety/Prevention/SafetyInTheKitchen/