Firefighters tackle two fires in just two hours

Wednesday 23 November 2016

Islanders are being reminded to keep a close eye on their cooking after firefighters responded to two fires in under two hours last night.

Nine Blue Watch firefighters went to a home in St Helier just after half past five where a lady had accidentally left the grill on, causing a grill pan – and subsequently parts of the oven - to catch fire (pictured above).

Two firefighters – both using breathing equipment due to the smoke – successfully put out the blaze with a water jet.

Firefighters praised the woman for getting out of the property and calling them immediately.

However, by 19:21 – just under two hours later – the fire service was alerted to a second incident at a flat in St Peter when a neighbour reported hearing a smoke alarm.

Wearing breathing equipment, two firefighters entered the flat with a water jet to tackle the blaze caused by unattended food left cooking on the hob (pictured below).

Photo: Jersey Fire & Rescue Service

Watch Commander Paul McGrath applauded the collaborative efforts of the on-call and full-time firefighters, whilst also praising neighbourly spirit which led to the successful extinguishing of the fire.

“It is great to see neighbours looking out for each other and contacting the emergency services when necessary,” he said.

To reduce the risk of fire when cooking, the gov.je website recommends that Islanders: 

• take pans off the heat or turn the heat down if you get called away from the cooker

• take care if you are wearing loose clothing as it can catch fire easily 

• don’t cook if you have been drinking or taking prescription medication

• turn saucepans so the handles don’t stick out over the edge of the hob or over another ring 

• double check that the cooker is off when you have finished cooking 

• make sure tea towels aren’t hanging over the cooker and don’t put oven gloves on top of a hot cooker 

• keep the oven, hob and grill clean, as a built-up fat and bits of food can start a fire