A chip pan blaze in Swanley was kept under control by a quick-thinking London firefighter yesterday evening (June 9).

It was one of two blazes caused by unattended chip pans in the county in just a few hours, causing Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) to warn residents of the potentially dangerous consequences.

Two kids were checked over by the emergency services after the second fire in Kennington, Ashford, at 10.54pm.

A mum was also given oxygen therapy, after breathing in smoke while attempting to fight the flames herself.

Two fire engines were sent to the blaze, where the kitchen of the property was severely damaged.

Meanwhile, in a similar incident at a house in Swanley just before 6.30pm, a chip pan fire spread to the oven, wall cupboards and ceiling of a kitchen.

Fortunately, an off-duty crew member from London Fire Brigade was on hand to tackle the blaze, which is being treated as accidental.

He isolated the power, and the flames were contained to the kitchen.

Two fire engines were called to Swanley Village Road, where crews used a positive pressure ventilation fan to clear smoke from the property – and a thermal imaging camera to check the blaze was fully out.

Crews left the scene at 6.50pm.

Community safety manager Charlie Smith said: “It is believed that distraction played a major part in both of these fires.

“It is so easy to get diverted and walk away from your cooking, but as these incidents highlight, kitchen fires can be devastating, putting you and your family at risk and causing damage to your home.

“I would urge residents to take extra care not to leave cooking unattended, and opt for a thermostat-controlled deep fat fryer or oven chips instead of using an open pan, as hot oil can overheat and ignite very easily, resulting in a fire that can spread extremely quickly.

"In the event of a fire involving oil, never attempt to put it out with water. The advice is to turn off the heat if it is safe to do so, get you and your family out of the property immediately, closing the doors behind you, and call 999.”

For further safety advice visit www.kent.fire-uk.org or call 0800 923 7000.