Rope Street fire caused by unattended pan of food

A fire in a first floor flat in Rope Street, Rochdale yesterday morning (Wednesday 3 March) was caused by the occupier leaving food on hob and going out shopping.

A hard wired smoke alarm activated in the flat and a neighbour in an adjacent flat alerted the fire service.

The fire was extinguished, using a hose reel and four fire fighters wearing breathing apparatus from Rochdale and Littleborough Stations, before it spread to the rest of the flat and caused only superficial smoke staining in the kitchen.

The occupier returned home with her daughter and grand daughter shortly after the fire was extinguished and thanked the Fire Service for putting the fire out. She was also said to be grateful to her neighbour who called the Fire Service.

Rochdale MBC Building Services were contacted to fit new door and frame and arrived prior to the Fire Service leaving. A home fire risk assessment was carried out on site and a smoke detector fitted in the living area.