Warning to residents after weekend kitchen fires

Firefighters were called to tackle a number of cooking fires across Greater Manchester at the weekend.

The incidents are a timely reminder of why it is important to be safe in the kitchen ahead of Shrove Tuesday (February 16) where families will take to the kitchen together to make pancakes.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is urging residents to never leave cooking unattended and if you have children in the kitchen with you on Shrove Tuesday to not be distracted and to keep them away from the hob at all times.

Incidents attended at the weekend include:

Northern Grove, Manchester

At 8.42pm on Friday, February 12 three fire engines from Moss Side, Withington and Wythenshawe attended a fire in a kitchen in a flat in Northern Grove Manchester.

The fire was caused by an extractor fan, which was covered in oil, catching fire from the cooker hob. Firefighters wearing four breathing apparatus used two hose reels, a short extension ladder, a positive pressure ventilation unit and a smoke curtain to bring the fire under control. Crews were on the scene for around 45 minutes.

Hind Street, Bolton

At 5.46pm on Sunday, February 14 two fire engines from Bolton Fire Station attended a fire in a domestic property on Hind Street, Bolton.

The fire involved a pan of food on a cooker and one man received treatment from North-West Ambulance service for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters wearing two breathing apparatus used one hose reel and a positive pressure ventilation fan to extinguish the fire. Crews were on the scene for around one hour.

The Gardens, Eccles

At 3.10pm on Sunday, February 14 three fire engines from Salford, Agecroft and Eccles attended an fire in a flat on The Gardens, Eccles.

The fire involved a tea towel on an electric hob which was out on arrival. Firefighters administered oxygen therapy to a woman who was suffering from smoke inhalation. Crews were on the scene for around 20 minutes.

Milk Street, Tyldesley

At 1.29pm on Sunday, February 14 two fire engines from Farnworth and one from Leigh attended a fire in a domestic property on Milk Street, Tyldesley.

The fire involved a grill pan and a cooker and was extinguished by crews using two breathing apparatus and one hose reel. Firefighters were on the scene for around 35 minutes.

GMFRS Head of Prevention, Area Manager Paul Duggan, said: “These incidents show just why it is so important to be careful in the kitchen. While nobody was seriously hurt, people did need treatment for smoke inhalation and property was damaged.

“That’s why we need everyone to be safe this Shrove Tuesday and whenever they are cooking. If you are making pancakes tomorrow, enjoy it but please never leave cooking unattended and if there are children around don’t get distracted by them and make sure you keep them away from the hob.

“We know most fires start in the kitchen so if you are safe there you can significantly reduce the risk of having one in your home.

“Please take this as a reminder to test your smoke alarm – doing so could save the lives of you and your family.”

Last week, GMFRS revealed it attended 902 kitchen fires in 2020 – more than half of all accidental fires firefighters attended last year.

You can find more advice for staying safe in the kitchen here: https://www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/staying-safe/what-we-do/fire-safety-at-home/safety-in-the-kitchen/

---

15/02/2021 14:22 PM