Firefighters rushed to Hawthorne Crescent in West Drayton following reports of a house fire yesterday (19 March). The incident, which occurred on the ground floor of a mid-terraced house, left the kitchen devastated by fire and smoke. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Station Commander Richard Hamilton, who was at the scene said: “Firefighters worked quickly to restrict any damage to neighbouring properties and extinguish the fire. Crews remained on scene dampening down and were supported by colleagues from Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service throughout this incident.”
According to initial investigations, the fire is believed to have been accidental, sparked by combustible items left unattended on the hob. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential hazards associated with cooking in the home.
The London Fire Brigade received the call at 2:12pm, prompting a rapid response from multiple fire stations including Hayes, Heathrow, Hillingdon, and Richmond. Utilizing a 32-metre turntable ladder, firefighters worked to bring the situation under control. By 3:16pm, the fire had been successfully extinguished.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Fires are more likely to start in the kitchen than any other room in the home.
“You can keep safe by following our simple cooking tips such as never placing anything that can catch fire near the hob. Keep all objects, like tea towels, cloths, plastic bowls and anything flammable well away from the cooker and always check the hob is turned off when you’ve finished cooking. If you do have to leave the room, turn off the heat and never leave cooking unattended.
“Attempting to extinguish a fire by yourself can lead to injuries or even be fatal and can increase the risk of more severe damage to your property. Leave the room, close the door, shout a warning to others and call 999.”
