Kitchen Blaze Hits London Home – No Injuries
A fire damaged part of a ground floor and the extraction system in a London property last night. Thankfully, no one was hurt. The blaze is thought to have started accidentally during cooking.
London Fire Brigade Issues Urgent Christmas Kitchen Warning
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson warned: “Fires are more likely to start in the kitchen than any other room in the home.”
They urged festive cooks to follow simple safety steps this Christmas. “Never leave cooking unattended on the hob or grill. If you need to leave the kitchen, turn off the heat. Always double-check your cooker and hob are off when you’re done.”
They added: “Keep flammable items like tea towels, cloths, and plastic bowls well clear of the cooker. And if you’re planning on having a few drinks, wait until after serving Christmas lunch before firing up the stove.”
Fire Crews Rush to Scene, Fire Contained in Under 90 Minutes
The fire brigade was called at 10.08pm. Crews from Finchley, Hendon, and West Hampstead stations tackled the blaze and had it under control by 11.27pm.
Top Firefighters’ Cooking Safety Tips
- Never leave cooking unattended on the hob or grill – turn off the heat if you need to leave.
- Watch your clothing – loose sleeves can catch fire. Keep tea towels and cloths away from hot surfaces.
- Keep ovens, hobs, extractor fans, and grills clean to avoid grease build-up that can ignite.
- Always double-check the cooker and hob are off when finished cooking.
- Keep toasters clean and don’t place them under kitchen cabinets or near flammable items.
- Never put metal objects inside the microwave.
