Kitchen Fire Caused by Air Fryer Accidentally Left on Hob

A kitchen sustained significant damage in a fire that occurred after an air fryer was inadvertently left on a hob. The Essex Fire and Rescue Service reported being dispatched to a bungalow on Meadow Way, Jaywick, at 06:58 GMT on Saturday. Upon arrival, crews discovered the residence filled with smoke. A family and their dog successfully evacuated without harm before firefighters reached the scene. Stephen Wood, a crew manager, noted this as the fourth such incident, adding: “We can’t say it enough – using your hob as a storage area or a worktop can be tempting, but please never take the chance.” The service confirmed that “the cause of the fire was an air fryer left on top of the hob which was accidentally switched on.” It further stated that the family’s possession of a smoke alarm enabled them to exit safely and contact 999. Mr. Wood stated: “This is the fourth incident I have attended where an air fryer has been left on top of the hob and was accidentally switched on. “Crews did a great job and worked quickly to stop the fire from spreading further. “It’s incredibly easy to accidentally turn your hob on and if that happens and something is on top of it, a kitchen fire is inevitable.” He advised individuals to keep their hobs and ovens “clear of clutter at all times.”