House fire – Hayes

Firefighters are reminding people of their cooking safety advice after cooking overheated at a house on Blyth Road in Hayes.

Crews led a man to safety via an internal staircase after cooking overheated in a ground floor kitchen, producing smoke. A woman was assessed on scene and a man was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.  

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Fires are more likely to start in the kitchen than any other room in the home.

"Cooking should never be left unattended on the hob or grill - if you have to leave the kitchen, turn off the heat.”

The Brigade was called at 1504 and the incident was over for firefighters by 1516. Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters from Hillingdon, Heathrow and Hayes fire stations attended the scene.

Firefighters' tips for safer cooking:

• Don't leave cooking unattended on the hob or grill.
• 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.
• Not feeling 100%? 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.
• Avoid keeping items such as toasters under cupboards or in contact with combustibles such as tea towels or kitchen roll to prevent heat build-up.