A SOUTH Wirral couple is hoping they will be able to get back into their home before Christmas after it was damaged in a chip pan fire.

Firefighters were called to David and Margaret Gill’s house on Bendee Avenue in Neston just after 6pm on Friday, December 12.

Margaret had gone out and David had decided to start tea, putting a pan with oil inside on the hob.

David explained: “We don’t have chips very often and hardly ever use a chip pan but I really fancied sausage, egg and chips so I put the pan of oil on the hob.

“While it was heating up I went into the front home and nodded off. The next thing I knew I woke up and rushed into the kitchen and saw the fire and smoke everywhere.

“I rushed next door and told my neighbour to call the fire service. I was frantic and frightened and thought to myself, ‘I’ve got to do something’ so I ran to the caravan and got a fire blanket and extinguisher and threw it over the stove.”

Firefighters arrived at the scene and fully extinguished the fire and ventilated the house.
 

David suffered some smoke inhalation and was checked over by paramedics at the scene.

As Margaret returned home from her friends she saw the fire engines and ambulance outside her house. She was thankful her husband was alright but was shocked and upset by the mess inside.

She said: “I don’t think anyone realises the level of damage fires like this can cause. It isn’t isolated to one area, it spreads through the whole house. I was horrified when I was allowed inside and saw the damage, it broke my heart. I love Christmas and I had got everything ready and had family coming to stay but now we have had to change all our plans.”

Watch Manager Paul Janion said: “This case highlights not only the dangers of chip pans but also the disastrous consequences of leaving cooking unattended.  David and his wife currently have to deal with the upset of not being able to live in their home at the moment but the outcome could have been even worse if he had not woken up when he did.

“I want people to think about this case over the festive period when we are all more likely to be cooking more and entertaining in situations where it is easy to get distracted. Please ensure you do not leave your cooking unattended and if there is a fire don’t take any risks, get out, stay out and call us out.”

Cooking safety advice

  • Avoid leaving children in the kitchen alone when cooking on the hob. Keep matches and saucepan handles out of their reach to keep them safe.
  • Make sure saucepan handles don't stick out - so they don't get knocked off the stove.
  • Take care if you're wearing loose clothing - they can easily catch fire.
  • Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob.
  • Double check the cooker is off when you've finished cooking.
  • Take care if you need to leave the kitchen whilst cooking, take pans off the heat or turn them down to avoid risk.
  • Keep the oven, hob and grill clean and in good working order. A build up of fat and grease can ignite a fire.

Deep fat frying

  • Take care when cooking with hot oil - it sets alight easily.
  • Make sure food is dry before putting it in hot oil so it doesn't splash.
  • If the oil starts to smoke - it's too hot. Turn off the heat and leave it to cool.
  • Use a thermostat controlled electric deep fat fryer. They can't overheat.

What to do if a pan catches fire

  • Don't take any risks. Turn off the heat if it is safe to do so. Never throw water over it.
  • Don't tackle the fire yourself - Get Out, Stay Out, Call 999.