Bromley fire prompts ‘get out, stay out, call 999' warning

Firefighters are today urging people to get out, stay out and call 999 if a fire breaks out in their home after a woman suffered smoke inhalation while trying to rescue her pet dog from a blaze

The fire at a flat in Whitefoot Lane, Bromley, on December 5 was noticed after a friend of the occupant heard a smoke alarm sounding as they passed the property.

The friend contacted the occupant and she returned home, going into the building to rescue her pet dog from inside. It was only after exiting the property with the dog that the Brigade was called.

Firefighters discovered a chip pan alight in the kitchen and extinguished the blaze. Part of a kitchen in the ground floor flat was damaged by fire.

One woman was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation by London Ambulance Service. Thankfully the dog was not harmed by the blaze.

Mark Hazelton, the Brigade's group manager for community safety, said: “It’s natural to want to rescue your pets but even a relatively small fire can create a lot of smoke, and people must realise how quickly they can be overcome.

“When a fire starts in your home, your priority must be to get out, stay out and call 999.”

The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental due to cooking left unattended.

Group manager Hazelton added: “If you want to use a chip pan, never leave the pan alone, even for a few seconds, as the hot oil could catch fire."

Our advice if you have to use a chip pans or traditional fat fryers

We're particularly concerned about the use of traditional chip pans, which can be hazardous, especially when left unattended.

• Never fill a chip pan over a third full with oil or fat.
• Never be tempted to cook with a chip pan after consuming alcohol.
• Never leave the pan alone with the heat on – not even for a few seconds.
• Never put the chips in the pan if the oil has started smoking.
• Turn off the heat and leave the oil to cool down, or else it could catch fire.

In the event of a fire:

• Don't panic and don't take risks.
• Don't move the pan.
• Never throw water or use a fire extinguisher on a hot fat fire.
• If it's safe to do so - turn off the heat, but never lean over the pan to reach the controls.
• Leave the kitchen, close the door behind you, tell everyone else in the home to get out and don't go back inside for any reason.
• Call 999.

The Brigade was called at 1431 and the fire was under control at 1508. Fire crews from Bromley and Beckenham fire stations attended the scene.