Firefighters are sharing their cooking safety tips after a flat fire on Brimpsfield Close in Abbey Wood.
A small part of a five-roomed flat on the ground floor of a block of flats was damaged by fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus led a man to safety from the ground floor using a fire escape hood. A man and a woman were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews after suffering from smoke inhalation.
Fire escape hoods provide members of the public with up to 15 minutes protection from four of the main fire gases (carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride and acrolein) and can be worn by conscious or unconscious people. If more than 15 minutes protection is required then another hood can be given to each wearer. They do not provide oxygen but temporarily filter toxic smoke to make breathing easier.
The Brigade’s Fire Investigators believe the fire was accidental and caused by cooking that was left unattended.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Fires are more likely to start in the kitchen than in any other room in the home.
"Cooking should never be left unattended on the hob or grill and if you have to leave the kitchen, turn off the heat.
“It’s also really important to keep all objects, like tea towels, cloths and plastic bowls well away from the cooker and always check the hob is turned off when you've finished cooking."
The Brigade was called at 0107 and the fire was under control by 0140. Two fire engines and around 10 firefighters from Plumstead fire stations attended the scene.