Five people escape fire on ninth floor flat in Warley
They were taken to hospital for the effects of smoke inhalation
Essex fire and rescue say the family of a ninth-floor flat narrowly escaped a kitchen fire last night thanks to a functioning smoke alarm.
Firefighting crews quickly responded after the incident was reported at at 7:18 pm in a high-rise building on Victoria Road, Warley. With crews from Brentwood, Chelmsford, Basildon, Chelmsford (two), Orsett, and Hawkwell all being dispatched to the scene - where they found the kitchen hob ablaze.
Preliminary findings suggest that the fire originated from a hob that was accidentally left switched on, causing items on the kitchen worktop to catch fire. Watch Manager Stapleton used the opportunity to remind the public about the importance of keeping cooking areas clear when not in use, emphasizing the potential hazards of overlooked appliances.
Watch Manager Ben Stapleton commended the initial response of the crews, highlighting their effective implementation of high-rise procedures to address the situation.
"The incident is a reminder to keep your hob clear when it is not in use," stated Watch Manager Ben Stapleton. He continued, "Thankfully, the family were alerted by a smoke alarm and took appropriate action—evacuating the premises, closing doors, and calling 999—which minimized the spread of smoke."
Fire crews successfully extinguished the fire just after 8:00 pm, preventing further escalation.
However, five individuals were taken to the hospital for precautionary measures due to smoke inhalation.
Unfortunately, the flat where the fire originated is now uninhabitable due to the combined effects of fire and smoke damage. A neighboring flat also sustained damage from smoke, but occupants are expected to return soon.