Fire chiefs are urging Harold residents to install smoke alarms following a chip pan fire in Keats Avenue, Harold Hill.

Fire appliances from Romford attended the scene of the blaze at around 1.30pm last Tuesday. They arrived to find thick black smoke coming from the ground floor kitchen and first floor bedroom.

A chip pan had been left unattended and had overheated, and although a smoke detector had been fitted in the past it had been removed during redecoration and had not been replaced.

Station officer Dave Goldsmith, from Romford Fire Station, said: "Fire alarms can be brought for as little as £5.

"This is a small price to pay for the safety of your family and property. I would urge everyone to have a smoke alarm in their property, and if it is removed during redecoration to refit the alarm as soon as possible."

Station officer Goldsmith offered some practical advice on using chip pans and dealing with them if they do catch light.

Never fill the pan more than one third full with fat or oil.

Never leave the pan alone with the heat on - even for a few seconds.

Dry chips before you put them in the pan.

If your chip pan does catch light, don't panic and don't move the pan. Turn off the heat if it is safe to do so, and if you can, drape a damp cloth or tea towel over the pan to smother the flames. Leave the pan to cool down for at least 30 minutes.

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