Wok Fire Sparks Blaze at Busy Croydon Restaurant
Five fire engines and around 35 firefighters rushed to a London Road eatery in Croydon after a fire broke out in the ground floor restaurant. Flats above the venue were thankfully safe, but part of the restaurant suffered fire damage.
Quick-Thinking Staff Spot Smoke, Call the Brigade
The blaze was spotted by two staff members who noticed smoke billowing from the rear of the kitchen. They acted fast and dialled 999. London Ambulance crews treated one man at the scene.
Heat from Wok Fire Blamed for Dangerous Blaze
Fire investigators believe hot oil from a wok overheated the stainless steel extractor hood. This intense heat ignited the timber frame above, sparking the fire.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson warned: “Cooking with hot oil can be really dangerous, as it can easily overheat, so it’s important to keep an eye on it at all times.
If the oil starts to smoke, it’s too hot. Turn off the heat and leave it to cool.
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.
It is also a timely reminder never to try and tackle a fire yourself. Our message if a fire breaks out is simple – get out, stay out and call 999.”
