Firefighters are urging people to get out, stay and call 999 if a fire breaks out after an over-heating oil pan is believed to have caused a fire at a flat on Thurlow Street in Walworth.
Part of a split level flat on the fourth and fifth floor of the 15-storey block was damaged. One woman and two children left the property before the Brigade arrived. They were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation by London Ambulance Service crews and taken to hospital. Another man was also treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.
The Brigade's fire investigators believe the cause of the fire was an electric hob being switched on accidentally and igniting an oil filled pan.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "This incident shows how important it is to never leave cooking unattended.
"If you do have to leave the house, always make sure you turn the heat off before you do.
"It is also a timely reminder to people never to try and tackle a fire yourself – as the occupant in this incident discovered the fire and attempted to remove the pan to the balcony, which spread the fire throughout the property.
“Our message if a fire breaks out is simple – get out, stay out and call 999. Never try and tackle it yourself.”
The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers took 16 calls to the fire.
The Brigade was called at 1042 and the fire was under control at 1122. Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Old Kent Road, Peckham, Dockhead, Brixton, Dowgate and Whitechapel fire stations attended the scene.
• Avoid leaving cooking unattended
• Don't cook if you are tired, have been drinking alcohol or taking medication that might make you drowsy
• Take care not to lean over hot hobs and keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob
• Be careful to keep the oven, hob, cooker hood and grill clean to avoid a buildup of fat and grease, which could ignite and cause a fire
• Use spark devices to light gas cookers - they are much safer than matches or lighters as they don't have a naked flame
• Double check the cooker and hob are turned off when you've finished cooking
• Check toasters are clean and placed away from anything that can catch fire
• Never put anything metal in the microwave
• Never use a barbecue indoors or on a balcony - burning or smouldering fuel can cause carbon monoxide poisoning
• Supervise children and pets in the kitchen at all times and keep matches and saucepan handles out of reach