Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a fire at a restaurant with a hotel above on Ludgate Hill in The City of London.
Half of the ducting (extraction system) that ran from the basement to the ground floor in the restaurant was destroyed by fire.
Crews worked hard to ensure the ducting that ran up the hotel above the restaurant was not alight.
Thankfully no injuries are reported.
The Brigade's fire investigators believe the fire was accidental and caused by a build up of grease and cooking fat in the restaurant's extraction system.
Sub Officer Tom Tracey was at the scene, he said: "This fire was inside the ducting. We'd like to remind restaurant and takeaway owners to ensure they don't have dirty ducting. If you don't clean the ducting in your extraction system regularly, you're at a greater risk of ducting fires. You should also make sure you keep the hob, cooker hood and extractor fan clean too – built up fat and grease can ignite and cause a fire."
The Brigade was called at 1929 and the fire was under control by 2040. Fire crews from Dowgate, Lambeth, Shoreditch and Soho fire stations were at the scene.
• Have ducting in your extraction system (ventilation) cleaned regularly
• Ensure ducting is installed correctly
• Take extra care when cooking with hot oil as it can easily overheat and catch fire
• Never fill the pan more than one third full of fat or oil
• Make sure food is dry before putting it in hot oil - oil and water are a dangerous mix
• Use an electronic deep fat fryer if possible - they have automatic temperature controls and are much safer
• Ensure your electrical system is regularly tested
• Complete your Fire Risk Assessment and make an emergency plan