October 7, 2010 2.07 pm This story is over 161 months old

Fire service warns of increased kitchen fires

Kitchen safety: Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue are warning people about the risk of kitchen fires, due to an increase in cases.

A report by Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue found that an increased number of people in Lincoln have called the emergency service due to kitchen fires.

Out of 95 incidents across the county in January to June 2010, 18 were in Lincoln alone. Last year in the same period, it was 16 out of 80 incidents.

In the whole county, there are just over three kitchen fires per week, one every other day, which is a 16% increase from last year.

Kitchen fires are the most common cause of house fires in Lincolnshire. On average, in the UK 17 people a day are killed or injured in a kitchen fires.

Deputy Community Fire Safety Officer Matt King said that people can be more vigilant by maintaining their kitchen utensils appropriately.

He said: “One of the things that we frequently find is a build-up of fat in grill pans and oven trays which has been forgotten about.

“When a grill or oven is then switched on, this build-up can set fire.

“Another cause of kitchen fires, and usually the one that results in the most deaths and injuries, is where alcohol is involved.

“Cooking whilst under the influence of alcohol is incredibly dangerous, especially if people fall asleep or get distracted whilst appliances are left on in the kitchen.

“The most common of all kitchen fires are those caused by deep fat frying. Chip pan fires cause one fifth of all accidental house fires.

“When you heat several pints of oil to extremely high temperatures, the oil can not only cause terrible burns, but it can go up in flames.

“In fact, it’s an ideal fuel for a fire, and difficult to put out,” King explained.

Source, Photo: Lincolnshire County Council