A plastic item left on an electric hob was believed to be the cause of a small fire in sheltered accommodation flat on Press Road in Willesden last night.
A small part of a ground-floor flat was damaged by fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued an elderly woman. She was suffering from slight smoke inhalation and taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.
How to prevent cooking fires
- 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 buildup 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 smoldering 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
The Brigade was called at 2129 and the fire was under control at 2223. Two fire engines and 10 firefighters from Willesden and Wembley fire stations attended the scene.
