FIREFIGHTERS have given safety advice about what to do if you have an oil fire following a chip pan fire in Wickford last night (Thursday, 3 February)..

Crews were called to a kitchen fire in Jersey Gardens, Wickford at 9.42pm and, on arrival, crews reported that a chip pan was on fire and had spread to the kitchen curtains.

Crews extinguished the fire by 10:22pm. A man was left in the care of the Ambulance Service after suffering smoke inhalation.

Firefighters from Basildon Fire Station fitted two smoke alarms at the property as there were no working smoke alarms inside.

Watch Manager Mark Blakebrough from Basildon Fire Station said: "Please take care when cooking with oil, oil fires can quickly spread out of control.

"Keep a close eye when cooking with oil and if it starts to smoke, that means it's too hot and you need to take it off the heat.

"If the oil does catch alight, if it is safe to do so turn the power or heat source off and never put water on it. Instead, get out of the house, stay out and call the fire service."

Even if you're careful, it's still possible that oil could catch fire when cooking. If it does, remember:

Never throw water over an oil fire as it could create a fireball

Don't attempt to tackle the fire yourself or move the pan

If it's safe to do so, turn off the heat

Leave the room, close the door and alert others in your home before going outside and calling 999 For more cooking safety tips, visit this link.