Don't tackle chip pan fires, says Fire Service

Date published: 10 February 2009

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is warning residents not to gamble with their lives during National Chip Week, which started yesterday (Monday 9 February).

Last year there were 33 accidental fires caused by chip pans in Rochdale, resulting in 16 people needing medical treatment.

GMFRS is advising people not to tackle this type of fire and recommends that people get rid of their old fashioned chip pans and replace them with deep fat fryers, which have a thermostat to control the temperature of the oil, or to use oven chips, which are claimed to be healthier.

Chief Fire Officer for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Barry Dixon said: “It would seem that most people’s excuse for having a chip pan is that the chips taste better. I would question whether they taste good enough to die for? It’s all too easy for someone to put a chip pan on, get distracted or fall asleep resulting in a fire occurring, sometimes with tragic consequences.”

The Service has warned people never leave cooking unattended and not to cook food after returning home from a night out at the pub, or when they have had a drink. If a fire does occur, switch the heat off if it is safe to do so, close the door on the fire, make sure everyone in the house is aware of the fire, get out, dial 999 and stay out until the fire service say it is safe to go back in.

Make sure you have at least one working smoke alarm per floor level in your home.