Firefighters have issued a cooking safety reminder after a fire at a Chinese restaurant with offices above on Staines Road in Hounslow.
The restaurant's ducting from the kitchen to the first floor, the ground floor kitchen and a wash room on the first floor were destroyed by the fire.
The Brigade's fire investigators believe the cause of the fire was accidental and was due to an unattended saucepan of cooking oil.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "You should never leave cooking unattended – if you have to leave the room, turn the heat off before you do.”
Seven people left the restaurant and 20 people left the offices above before the arrival of the Brigade. There were no reports of any injuries.
The Brigade was called at 1225 and the fire was under control by 1525. Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters from Heston, Feltham, Twickenham and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.
How to prevent cooking fires
- 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 build-up 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
If a pan catches fire
- Don't tackle the fire yourself and don't attempt to move the pan
- Never throw water over a fire as it could create a fireball
- Turn off the heat, if it is safe to do so
- Leave the room, close the door, shout a warning to others and call 999
