Dramatic Rescue as Blaze Hits Fried Chicken Shop in Croydon
A woman and child were heroically saved by firefighters after a fire ripped through the Perfect Chicken takeaway in South End, Croydon, in the early hours of Sunday.
Fire Erupts From Overheated Oil in Deep Fat Fryer
The inferno, believed to have started when cooking oil overheated in a deep fat fryer, tore through part of the takeaway. The alarm was raised at 1.14am, sparking a rapid response from the London Fire Brigade crews from Croydon, Purley, and Woodside.
Firefighters Brave Flames to Rescue Family
Wearing breathing apparatus, firefighters entered the building and safely evacuated a woman and child from flats above the takeaway using an internal staircase. Miraculously, no injuries were reported.
Damage and Safety Warnings
- Half of the ground floor and the ducting from the extraction system to the roof were badly damaged.
- The fire was under control by 2.39am.
“Take extra care when cooking with hot oil as it can easily overheat and catch fire. Never fill a pan more than one third full of fat or oil, and ensure food is dry before placing it into hot oil—oil and water are a dangerous mix,” warned a London Fire Brigade spokesperson.
The Brigade also recommends using electronic deep fat fryers with automatic temperature controls to reduce fire risk. They stressed keeping kitchen surfaces, hobs, cooker hoods, and extractor fans clean to prevent grease build-up that can fuel flames.
Renewed Alert for Late-Night Kitchen Safety
This fiery incident has reignited calls for tougher kitchen safety measures in commercial food outlets, especially those running late into the night.
