Smoke alarm alerts neighbour to Dover cooking fire

Dover firefighters are renewing fire safety advice to residents following a fire in a kitchen on Monday (26 November 2012), believed to have been caused by unattended cooking.

Crews were called to a house in Clarenden Road after a neighbour heard a smoke alarm sounding and went to investigate. They noticed smoke inside the property and dialled 999.

Crews tackled a small fire on a hob in the basement kitchen of the three-storey home and used a positive pressure ventilation fan to clear smoke form the property.

It is believed that the occupants, who were out at the time, may have accidently left a pan of eggs cooking on hob.

This incident followed another cooking related fire in Douglas Road, Dover on 15 November. A chip pan caught alight after being left unattended when the occupant became momentarily distracted.

Watch Manager Antony Scott said: "Fortunately, no one was injured as a result of these fires, but both highlight just how important it is to take care in the kitchen. A moment's distraction can lead to disaster. Always keep an eye on what you are cooking, make sure you switch off all cooking appliances and remove pans from the hob after use.

"Working smoke alarms really do provide early warning to a fire in your home, significantly reducing the risk to your life in the unfortunate event of a fire."