Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters were called to a flat fire on Marlow Road in Penge.
A small part of a flat on the ground floor of a house converted into flats was destroyed by fire. One woman was rescued by crews wearing breathing apparatus and was treated on scene by firefighters for smoke inhalation.
The Brigade's 999 Control officers were first alerted to the fire at 1556 and deployed crews from Beckenham, Woodside and West Norwood fire stations. The incident was over by 1618.
The cause of the fire was accidental and due to cooking.
Cooking safety tips
- 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.
- Never 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.
