Fire Breaks Out at London Eatery – 25 Evacuated
A fire sparked in the exterior ducting of a ground floor restaurant in a four-story building, forcing firefighters to evacuate around 25 patrons. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Accidental Blaze Likely Linked to Cooking
The London Fire Brigade suspects the fire started accidentally while cooking. The flames damaged part of the restaurant’s extraction system at the rear of the premises.
“We’d like to remind restaurant and takeaway owners to ensure they don’t have dirty ducting,” a London Fire Brigade spokesperson warned. “You’re more likely to face ducting fires if you don’t clean the extraction system regularly.”
Firefighters Sound Off: Keep Kitchens Safe
- Clean your extraction ducting regularly to prevent fires.
- Be extra cautious when cooking with hot oil—it heats fast and can ignite suddenly.
- Never fill a pan with more than one-third fat or oil.
- Dry all food thoroughly before frying to avoid dangerous oil and water reactions.
- Consider using electronic deep fat fryers with automatic temperature control for added safety.
- Ensure your electrical system gets regular safety checks.
- Complete your fire risk assessment and have an emergency plan in place.
Quick Response Ensured Flames Were Out Fast
The fire brigade arrived at 7:05pm and had the blaze under control by 8:21pm. Four engines and about 25 firefighters from Paddington, Euston, and Kensington stations rushed to the scene.
This incident is a stark reminder for homes and businesses alike to test smoke alarms regularly and stay fire-safe.
