Emergency Services Respond to Kitchen Fire Caused by Unattended Pan

Firefighters were dispatched to a residential fire after a cooking pan was left on a hob. Essex Fire and Rescue reported receiving a call from occupants of a property situated in Wharf Close, Stanford-le-Hope, Thurrock, Essex, at 08:40 GMT, following their observation of smoke emanating from their kitchen area. The family involved received medical attention at the scene for smoke inhalation. Ben Stapleton, a watch manager, commented: “What we do know is that there were no working smoke alarms, so it was fortunate the family noticed the smoke in time.” Personnel from the service found smoke throughout the dwelling and proceeded to ventilate the property to clear the smoke. Mr. Stapleton stated that the exact duration the pan had been left on the hob was not determined. He remarked: “Had this occurred at night, the fire could have spread undetected, potentially leading to a much more serious situation.” He further emphasized: “Working smoke alarms are essential – they alert you and your family at the earliest sign of fire. They save lives and protect your property, which is why it’s so important to have one on every level of your home.” Following the incident, crews installed smoke alarms in the residence and reminded nearby residents about the critical importance of having operational smoke alarms. For updates on Essex news, information is available on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. This content is Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material found on external websites and provides details on its approach to external linking.