Fire service advice following weekend cooking fires

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is advising residents to take extra when cooking after they dealt with seven cooking fires over the weekend, including one in Rochdale.

At 5.45pm on Sunday (11 March) two crews from Rochdale Fire Station were called to Crown Street, Rochdale, following a report a cooker was on fire.

The fire was out by the time fire-fighters arrived at the house. It started as a result of a build-up of fat on the appliance.

Fire-fighters removed the cooker from the house and carried out a Home Safety Check and fitted a smoke alarm for the resident.

Fire crews were also called out to kitchen fires in Stockport, Openshaw, Abbey Hey, Ashton, Cheetham Hill and Heaton Norris over the weekend.

The Service is urging people to protect their homes with a Home Safety Check as a result of the incidents.

Councillor David Acton, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority Chairman, said: "Thankfully, no one was seriously injured as a result of any of these fires during the weekend but we should not underestimate the impact these fires and the subsequent damage will have on all of the people involved in them.

"Serious fires can start when you are distracted; even for a few seconds, but you should never leave cooking unattended even to answer the phone or the door.

"When cooking fried food, dry it before you put it in the hot oil. If the oil starts to smoke, turn off the heat and leave the pan to cool. Never fill the pan more than one-third full of oil and never throw water over the pan."

For a free Home Fire Safety Check, which may include the fitting of smoke alarms, call GMFRS on 0800 555 815 or visit www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/fire_safety_advice/home_fire_risk_assessments.aspx