Flat fire – Islington

Firefighters have issued a cooking safety reminder after a flat fire on Green Lanes in Islington.

Part of a communal kitchen on the second floor of a residential block was damaged by fire. Around 80 residents left the building before the Brigade arrived. There were no reports of any injuries.

The fire is believed to have been caused by a tea towel too close to a gas hob, which ignited.

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

“It’s really important that you don’t leave cooking unattended and 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. Remember, if you have to leave the kitchen, turn off the heat.”

The Brigade was called at 0329 and the fire was under control by 0358. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Stoke Newington, Islington and Holloway fire stations attended the scene.

Firefighters' cooking safety tips

• 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.
• 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.
• Double check the cooker and hob are turned off when you’ve finished cooking.
• Always keep an eye on children and pets in the kitchen: don't leave them unsupervised; put matches away; and keep saucepan handles out of reach.