Firefighters call on people to help stop house fires by never leaving cooking unattended

FIREFIGHTERS are urging people to keep an eye on their cooking and make sure their smoke alarms are working to minimise the risk of house fires.

The message from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service comes following incidents in both Salford and Bolton this week caused by unattended cooking.

Three crews from Moss Side, Salford and Broughton were called to a house fire on Arrow Street, Salford, at 3:11pm on Tuesday, April 2.

On arrival, crews brought the fire under control using a hose reel and specialist equipment before the fire could fully develop.

No-one was injured at this incident.

On Monday, April 1, crews from Bolton Central, Bolton North and Horwich attended a second-floor flat fire on Mill View Lane, Horwich, at 10:40pm.

The fire was out on arrival, with the male casualty treated by North West Ambulance crews while firefighters ventilated smoke from the property.

Crews were in attendance for one hour and thirty five minutes.

Area Manager Paul Etches, Head of Prevention for GMFRS, said: “These incidents highlight how important it is to keep an eye on your cooking at all times and to make sure your smoke alarm works.

“More than half of accidental fires in the home start because of something to do with cooking, so it is vitally important to be aware of how you can keep your home safe.

“It only takes a second for a fire to start and if left unattended the consequences could be severe.

“Never leave your cooking unattended and test your smoke alarm tonight.”

Most house fires start in the kitchen so please help us to keep you and your family safe when using your cooker:

• Keep electrical leads, tea towels and cloths away from your cooker
• Keep your oven, hob and grill clean. A build-up of fat and grease can easily catch fire
• Take care if you are wearing loose clothing whilst cooking with gas - this can easily catch fire

If your pan catches fire when cooking:

• Don’t panic and don’t take risks
• Don’t move the pan
• If it’s safe to do so, turn off the heat – but never lean over the pan to do so
• Leave the kitchen, close the door behind you, get everyone out and don’t go back inside
• Call 999

For more information on cooking safety visit the safety section of the GMFRS website.