Flat fire in Golders Green prompts cooking safety reminder from firefighters

Firefighters are reminding Londoners to not leave their cooking unattended after a fire at a flat on Riverside Drive in Golders Green.

The kitchen in the five roomed ground floor flat was completely destroyed by fire.

Firefighters believe the cause of the fire was due to an electric hob being left on and unattended with an item left near it catching alight.

Sub Officer Chris Baldwin was at the scene, he said: “It’s really important that you don’t leave cooking unattended - if you have to leave the room or the house, turn the heat off.

“Never leave fabrics, such as tea towels, near to a cooker or a hob, because they can catch alight very easily and flames can spread quickly. Please also take care with loose clothing that can easily catch fire. Don’t lean over the hob when cooking and roll up sleeves that might hang over the stove.

“The occupants of this property had a very lucky escape as there were no working smoke alarms in the flat. We urge people to have working smoke alarms on every level of your home and to test them regularly. Smoke alarms will give the earliest possible warning if a fire breaks out in your home.”

The Brigade’s top kitchen safety tips:

• Never leave cooking unattended, even for a moment
• Always make sure the cooker is switched off once you’ve finished using it
• Keep your oven, hob and grill clean and free from grease – a build up can be a fire hazard
• Don’t store things like cookbooks or tea towels close to the hob as they can easily catch fire
• Avoid cooking if you’ve been drinking alcohol
• Never fill a pan more than a third full with oil
• Dry chips before putting them in oil
• Never throw water onto hot oil or fat
• If a fire does break out you should turn the heat off if it’s safe to do so but don’t try to tackle the fire by yourself.
• Get everyone out of the house and call 999 immediately

The Brigade was called at 2019 and the fire was under control by 2057. Five fire engines and around 35 firefighters from Hendon, Finchley and West Hampstead fire stations were at the scene.