Chip pan fire destroys kitchen

The kitchen of a house in Crewe was completely destroyed after a chip pan fire.

A man was treated for smoke inhalation as a result of the blaze which started after he left the chip pan unattended.

Two fire engines from Crewe were called to the incident on Stoneley Avenue last Thursday, 19th March.

Watch Manager Simon Gildea said: "Fortunately the property was fitted with smoke alarms which did activate and the man was very lucky he was not seriously injured. The fire was well established when we arrived and there was a lot of damage but that can be repaired and the most important thing is that no one was hurt.

"Chip pans are so dangerous and we would encourage people to choose one of the safer options to enjoy chips. Use an electric deep fat fryer, oven chips or even let someone else cook them for you and go to the chippy! It is also very important that people do not leave their cooking unattended."

The crews wore breathing apparatus and used two hose reel jets to extinguish the blaze. They cut away cladding while damping down the scene to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and a large fan was used to clear the smoke. Paramedics attended the scene to check the man over due to slight smoke inhalation.

Tips for cooking chips safely

• If you must cook chips in a traditional chip pan you should follow these fire safety tips:
• Don't cook after drinking alcohol
• Don't throw water on a chip pan fire
• Don't overfill a chip pan with oil- never fill it more than one-third full
• Take care when cooking with hot oil- it sets alight easily
• If the oil starts to smoke, it's too hot. Turn off the heat and leave it to cool.
• Use a thermostat controlled electric deep fat fryer. They can't overheat.
• Do not leave cooking unattended and avoid leaving children in the kitchen alone when cooking on the hob.
• Make sure food is dry before putting it in hot oil so it doesn't splash.

What to do if a pan catches fire

• Don't take any risks
• Turn off the heat if it is safe to do so
• Never throw water over it
• Don't tackle the fire yourself
• Get Out, Stay Out, Call 999

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