A late night snack left cooking on the hob caused a flat fire on Dean Street in Soho.
Soho Watch Manager Stuart Beale: “The fire is believed to be caused by cooking left unattended. If you have to leave the room, turn the heat off before you do.
"The occupier was alerted to the fire by his smoke alarms, called 999 and left the flat. It’s incidents like these that show how important it is to have working smoke alarms and regularly test them.
“Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning when a fire starts and we would urge everyone to make sure they have one fitted in every room where a fire can start except kitchens or bathrooms where heat alarms are more appropriate.”
Part of a third floor flat was damaged by fire. The occupier left the property before the Brigade arrived. He was treated at the scene and taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews. Another man self evacuated the building, uninjured.
The Brigade was called at 0102 and the fire was under control at 0132. Fire crews from Soho fire stations attended the scene.
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 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
If a pan catches fire:
- 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
