THE fire service was called out to a chip pan fire at a flat in Cushag Road, Douglas, yesterday (Saturday).
The incident happened at 6.15pm and on arrival crews wearing breathing apparatus confirmed that everyone had safely evacuated the flat.
The fire was already out thanks to the quick thinking action of a neighbour.
The elderly occupant of the flat received oxygen therapy for smoke inhalation but did not require hospitalisation.
The cooker and kitchen suffered minor damage and smoke logging due to the chip pan flare up.
Station Officer John Kelly said: "Fires that start in the kitchen are an all too common cause of domestic fires.
"Around 60 per cent of dwelling fires are caused by cooking related fires. It is always a good idea to double check that you have turned off your kitchen appliances when finished.
"These kind of fires also emphasise the importance of having a working smoke alarm."
The fire service has issued the following advice regarding chip pans:
Around 8,200 chip pan fires result in 34 deaths and nearly 3,000 injuries in the British Isles each year.
Most chip/grill pan fires are caused by leaving pans unattended while cooking, or by putting too much oil in the chip pan or a buildup of oil in the grill pan tray.
Most of the casualties result from not knowing how to deal with a chip pan or grill pan fire once it starts.
The smoke that comes from a chip/grill pan fire is deadly and the thousands of injuries caused can be made much worse when attempting to extinguish the fire with water.
When water is put onto hot oil it heats up, expands, turns to steam and rises in a big steam cloud. Each particle of steam is coated in burning oil and if you are near it you will be badly burned.
Why not try oven or microwave chips or invest in a thermostat-controlled deep fat fryer?
If you have to use a chip pan, here are some safety tips:
• Never fill a pan more than a third full of oil
• Never leave a pan unattended
• Do not put wet chips into hot oil
• Don't leave pans on the hob when you're not around. Take them off the heat if you have to leave the kitchen
• Don't move the pan and never throw water over it
• Test the temperature of the oil with a small amount of food and if the oil gives off smoke it is too hot
• Clothing and tea towels should be kept away from the cooker
• Keep electrical leads away from the cooker and from water
In the event of a chip/grill pan fire our advice is:
• Don't take any risks. Turn off the heat if it's safe to do so. Never throw water over it
• Don't tackle the fire yourself
• Get out, stay out and call 999
• For more fire safety advice visit the website iomfire.com
