Dad alerted to kitchen fire thanks to a smoke alarm

A Macclesfield dad is warning people of the dangers of using chip pans and the benefits of having a working smoke alarm after a small fire in his kitchen.

30-year-old Zack Stewart was upstairs at his home in Stoneleigh Close when he heard a smoke alarm sounding, just after 6pm on Thursday July 2.

His partner Emma Gough had started cooking tea and had put the chip pan on but became distracted outside.

Zack was upstairs with a friend when they heard the bleeping of a smoke alarm. He said: “I initially thought it was just something burning in the oven but went downstairs to check anyway. Luckily I did.

“With Emma and our two boys safely outside I got a wet towel to put the fire out and then moved the pan outside.

Thankfully because of the smoke alarm there is only a bit of damage to the extractor fan and a cupboard door, plus there’s some smoke damage, but it could have been much worse.

“I’ve ordered us an electric air fryer for the next time we fancy chips which is much safer.”

Firefighters from Macclesfield and Bollington attended the fire, which was out on their arrival. They checked the burned cooker hood and nearby cupboards using a thermal imaging camera to ensure the fire had been fully extinguished.

Watch Manager David Baylay from Macclesfield Fire Station was in charge of the incident. He said: “This is great example of a smoke alarm alerting a family to a danger in their home. These devices give people the time to escape in an emergency situation and this incident proves how important it is for everyone to have them installed in their homes.

“Zach was really lucky and did what he thought was right at the time and it thankfully paid off, but we don’t want anyone else to take a risk and try and tackle a fire such as this which has the potential to cause serious injuries.”

“Never leave cooking unattended. If you do find a fire has started due to cooking you should turn off the heat if safe to do so and close the doors as you exit.  Get out, stay out and call 999.  Knowing everyone is outside safely and uninjured makes the job of firefighters much easier in tackling the fire.”

More than half of accidental fires at home are started by cooking - often when cookers and grills are left unattended.

A smoke alarm is a device that detects fire in its early stages and gives a loud audible warning. For maximum protection a smoke alarm should be fitted in every level of a property.

Last updated: Wednesday 08 July 2020