Gravesend, Kent – Firefighters were called to a kitchen fire at a property on Cerne Road, Gravesend, on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at around 4:02 PM.
Emergency Response
- Fire engines: 2
- Equipment used: High-pressure hose reel jet, positive pressure ventilation fan
Crews wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire using a hose reel jet and cleared smoke from the home with a high-pressure fan.
Rescued Pets
Firefighters rescued two cats from the property and provided them with oxygen therapy using specialist pet oxygen masks. Fortunately, there were no reported human injuries.
Cause of Fire
The fire is believed to have started accidentally after a microwaveable heat pad, which had not fully cooled, was disposed of in the kitchen bin.
Fire Service Reminder
Kent Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents to ensure that heated items, such as heat pads, smoking materials, or ash from fireplaces and log burners, are completely cooled before disposal to prevent similar incidents.
The fire was under control by 4:52 PM, and the property has since been declared safe.
