Local couple - ‘ban the pan’ after chip pan sets on fire!
A Warwickshire couple that had a narrow escape when their chip pan caught fire are asking local residents to get rid of their old style chip pans in a bid to stop it happening to anyone else.
On the 22 February 2007, Martin and Pam Riley left their home thinking that they had left the oven on, whilst they went out for a walk. To their horror when they arrived home their chip pan was on fire and it was spreading fast.
Reacting quickly, Martin wet a tea towel and placed it over the chip pan. The fire was out, but they had a lucky escape.
In response to the bravery of the local couple, Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service will be going to their home on Friday 16 March at 11.30am to hand over a brand new deep fat fryer, which has kindly been donated to the family by the Heart of England Co-op.
Firefighters will also be carrying out a home fire safety check to help to reduce the risk of a fire happening again.
Area Risk Officer, Andy Bates said:
“Although Martin was very brave we wouldn’t recommend that people attempt to put out fires. Our message is get out, stay out and call the fire brigade out!
“On this occasion there is a happy ending, but not all chip pan fires end in the same way, which is why we are urging residents to hand in their old style chip pans, and take part in the chip pan amnesty, which could win you a brand new deep fat fryer!”