Grill cleaning scheme launched in Rochdale

Grill cleaning scheme launched in Rochdale

Dirty grills and pans can easily start fires and lead to firefighters being called out – especially when hobs or cookers are accidentally switched on or someone is distracted.
In a bid to bring down the number of incidents at sheltered housing accommodation in the borough, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is teaming up with Rochdale Borough Housing to deliver a new scheme.

From Saturday 6 October, a number of GMFRS’ Community Action Team (CAT) volunteers will be working with council officers and sheltered housing scheme wardens to clean grills and cookers where residual fat can build up and set off smoke alarms or start fires.

Equipped with cleaning kits, teams of volunteers will target sheltered housing schemes in Rochdale that have had repeated incidents or automatic fire alarm call-outs over the past three years.

Residents will also be given safety advice and shown how to cook without creating fumes.

Borough Manager Tony Lander said: “The first venue will be Clough Court where the fire service has attended more than 40 times in the past three years – this has included a couple of cooking fires, but the majority of these call-outs have been false alarms due to cooking fumes causing automatic fire alarms to sound.

“The programme will then be based on fortnightly weekend visits to properties depending on the number of fire service attendances, whether it be false alarms or fire incidents.

“We hope that by working in partnership with Rochdale Borough Housing, giving people advice and cleaning people’s grills and cookers, we can help to reduce the number of call-outs – freeing up our crews to carry out vital training and prevention work, and ensure they are available for more serious incidents.”

Please remember that any type of pan can catch fire including a wok, grill or frying pan – if this happens, get out, stay out and call 999.

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

For advice on fire safety at home, please visit www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/fire_safety_advice/home_fire_safety.aspx