Firefighters issue cooking safety warning after flat fire - Southwark

Firefighters are warning of the dangers of leaving cooking unattended after a fire at a flat on Thurlow Street in Southwark. 

A small part of the kitchen in a split level flat on the sixth and seventh floor was destroyed by fire. Two women and one child were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews suffering from smoke inhalation. 

The Brigade's Fire Investigators believe the fire was caused by a chip pan which was left unattended. 

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. 

"Chip pans and cooking with hot oil can be really dangerous and the risk increases when you start frying food more than once. 

“All it can take is for you to become distracted for a few seconds and your cooking oil can quickly go up in flames.” 

Practical steps for safer cooking: 

• Take extra care when cooking with hot oil as it can easily overheat and catch fire. 
• Never fill a 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. 
• If the oil starts to smoke, it’s too hot. Turn off the heat and leave it to cool. 
• Try not to leave cooking unattended on the hob or grill – if you have to leave the kitchen, turn off the heat. 
• 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. 
• 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. 

The Brigade was called at 0139 and the fire was under control by 0237. Five fire engines and around 35 firefighters from Old Kent Road, Wallington, Dockhead and Lambeth fire stations attended the scene.