Two Women Injured In Chip Pan Fire In Chiswick

Fire Brigade warns against pouring water on hot saucepans filled with oil

Two women, one of them heavily pregnant, were injured while trying to put out a chip pan fire in Chiswick by pouring water onto the flames. They both received burns to their arms and suffered from smoke inhalation.

The incident took place at a house on Wilkinson Way on Friday afternoon.

The Fire Brigade said; “We believe the chip pan was left unattended and caught alight. One of the women attempted to extinguish the fire by pouring a jug of water onto it, which is actually the worst thing you can do, as this can cause the pan to burst into a fireball.

Image from London Fire Brigade

“Both women suffered from burns to their arms and smoke inhalation and were taken to hospital by ambulance.

“We used to advise that people put a damp tea towel over a chip pan fire, but the latest advice is to get out, stay out and call 999. Let the experts deal with the fire.”

The Brigade was called at 3.26pm on Friday 17 June and the fire was out less than half an hour later. Two fire engines and ten firefighters from Chiswick and Acton fire stations attended the incident. Fire damage was contained within the kitchen.

The Fire Brigade issued the following advice: "Simply changing the way you cook can prevent fire. Invest in a deep fat fryer or opt for oven chips as an alternative. If you are still using a chip pan or traditional fat fryer in your home be sure to follow these simple rules to reduce fire hazards and cook safely.

• If you use a chip pan never fill it over a third full with oil or fat. Never be tempted to cook with a chip pan after consuming alcohol
• Never leave the pan alone with the heat on – not even for a few seconds
• Never put the chips in the pan if the oil has started smoking. Turn off the heat and leave the oil to cool down, or else it could catch fire

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June 20, 2016