Take care cooking warning after rise in kitchen fires

FIREFIGHTERS in Runcorn and Widnes have urged residents to take more care cooking after a spike in the number of kitchen blazes in the area.

A Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service spokesman said crews have been called out to 11 incidents involving cooking in the first quarter of the year compared to a total of 17 in the entire 2016-17 financial year.

There were just five kitchen fires over the same period last year, which means there has been a huge 120% increase this year.

The spokesman said most kitchen fires are started by carelessness such as leaving cooking unattended or placing flammable items on the top of cookers which have been left on.

John Boswell, Widnes and Runcorn Station Command, said: “Fires can start very easily if people don’t take enough care when cooking.

“A forgotten pot on a high heat or an overfilled pan of oil can quickly become a nightmare.

“We have seen a large increase in the number of this type of fire recently and if they aren’t caught quickly enough they can cause a major fire.

“Please make sure you have a working smoke alarm in the house to give yourself the best chance of evacuating if cooking catches fire.”

The fire brigade issued tips for safe cooking: ● Always clean the grill pan after use to avoid a build-up of fat and oil ● Do not leave cooking unattended. ● If oil starts to smoke it is too hot, so turn off the heat and let it cool ● Use a thermostat controlled electric deep fat fryer instead of a chip pan ● Keep tea towels and cloths away from grills and hobs ● Do not start cooking if after drinking alcohol or when really tired. ● If a pan does catch fire, turn off the heat if it is safe to do so, never throw water over it and do not tackle the fire but ‘get out, stay out, call 999’.