Flat fire – Acton

Firefighters are warning of the dangers of leaving cooking unattended after a flat fire on Friary Road in Acton.

Part of a three-roomed flat on the second floor of the building was damaged by fire. One woman was treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews after suffering from smoke inhalation.

The fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by unattended cooking.

The fire was discovered by a person who returned to the kitchen after cooking breakfast and saw fire coming from a pan on the cooker. They attempted to tackle the fire before leaving the building.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “On arrival crews saw smoke coming from a second-floor window at the front of the building and could hear smoke alarms sounding.  

“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.

“This is also a reminder to never try to tackle a fire yourself. Leave it to the professionals and call 999 as soon as you become aware of a fire in your home.”

The Brigade was called at 0938 and the fire was under control by 1037. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Acton, Ealing, Chiswick and Hammersmith fire stations attended the scene.

Firefighters' cooking safety tips

• Don’t leave cooking unattended on the hob or grill – if you have to leave the kitchen, turn off the heat.
• Have a heat alarm fitted in your kitchen. Fitting a heat alarm in your kitchen will give you warning of an increase in temperature caused by a fire but will not be set off by cooking fumes.
• Not feeling 100 per cent? Order a takeaway – if you're very tired, have been drinking alcohol or are taking medication that might make you drowsy, it's safer not to risk it.
• Be fabric aware – loose clothing can easily catch fire, so take care not to lean over a hot hob, and always keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob.
• Double check the cooker and hob are turned off when you’ve finished cooking.
• Check toasters are clean and not placed under kitchen cabinets or close to anything that can catch fire.