Firefighters are warning people not to leave their cooking unattended after a flat fire on Templeton Road in Tottenham during the early hours of this morning.
The fire damaged a small part of a three roomed flat on the ground floor of a three storey block and crews wearing breathing apparatus led a man to safety from the property. He was treated on the scene by London Ambulance Service for smoke inhalation.
The fire was caused after a stew pan was left unattended on top of a cooking hob.
Watch Manager Chris Haggar from Tottenham white watch said: “You should never leave cooking unattended – if you have to leave the room, turn the heat off before you do.”
Crews also found there were no working smoke alarms installed inside the flat so fitted some before they left.
Chris added: “This incident proves just how important it is to have working smoke alarms installed in your home.
“Homes need multiple smoke alarms or you won’t be properly covered. Ideal spots for smoke alarms include rooms where you leave electrical equipment running like satellite boxes, computers or heaters; any room where you smoke, and anywhere you charge your mobile or laptop.
“As a minimum you should have smoke alarms on every floor - in the hallways and the rooms you use the most, plus a heat alarm in the kitchen. They should be tested regularly.”
The Brigade was called at 0453 and the fire was under control at 0516. Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers from Tottenham and Hornsey fire stations attended the incident.
• Avoid leaving cooking unattended
• Don't cook if you are tired, have been drinking alcohol or taking medication that might make you drowsy
• Take care not to lean over hot hobs and keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob
• Be careful to keep the oven, hob, cooker hood and grill clean to avoid a build-up of fat and grease, which could ignite and cause a fire
• Use spark devices to light gas cookers - they are much safer than matches or lighters as they don't have a naked flame
• Double check the cooker and hob are turned off when you've finished cooking
• Check toasters are clean and placed away from anything that can catch fire
• Never put anything metal in the microwave
• Never use a barbecue indoors or on a balcony - burning or smouldering fuel can cause carbon monoxide poisoning
• Supervise children and pets in the kitchen at all times and keep matches and saucepan handles out of reach
• Don't tackle the fire yourself and don't attempt to move the pan
• Never throw water over a fire as it could create a fireball
• Turn off the heat, if it is safe to do so
• Leave the room, close the door, shout a warning to others and call 999