Flat fire - Romford

Firefighters have issued a cooking safety reminder after a flat fire on Regarth Avenue in Romford.

Part of a ground floor flat in a converted semi-detached house was damaged by the fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus led one man to safety. He was suffering smoke inhalation and was assessed at the scene by London Ambulance Service crews.

The fire is believed to have been accidental and involved cooking.

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 0844 and the fire was under control by 0943 Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters from Romford, Hornchurch and Dagenham fire stations attended the scene.

Firefighters' cooking safety tips 

• 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.