Fire crews tackle accidental house fire in Burton

Firefighters were called to Byrkley Street, Burton-upon-Trent, at 3.35am today following reports of a house fire.

Crews from Burton and Tutbury attended the scene two minutes later and located a property which was well-alight.

Firefighters managed to successfully extinguish the blaze at 4am.

A man, in his 60s, was treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation.

Crews remained at the scene to isolate gas and electrics and ensure the area was safe before departing at 4.45am.

The cause of ignition was deemed accidental – whereby food had caught fire whilst cooking on a hob.

Firefighters advise that in order to protect yourself and your home from the dangers of fire while cooking:
• Look when you cook. Take any pans off the heat if you have to leave the room. If your pan does catch fire do not remove or attempt to extinguish it. Get out!
• Do not use a chip pan, use a thermostat controlled electric deep fat fryer instead
• Do not leave children alone in the kitchen whilst cooking with the hob or oven
• Do not place anything metallic in the microwave
• Keep electrical leads away from water and keep electrical leads and cloths away from the hob
• Avoid cooking if you have been drinking alcohol
• Keep the oven and grill clean, a build-up of fat and grease may catch fire
• Take care if wearing loose clothing as it can easily catch fire particularly when using the hob
• When you have finished cooking, double check that you have turned off the oven
• Do not use matches or lighters to light gas cookers. Spark devices are safer.