Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is urging residents to exercise extreme caution when cooking after a blaze ripped through a North Lambton home this week.

Crews from Lambton and Mayfield West were called to a property on Andrew Close about 3.25pm on Monday 25 May.

Upon their arrival, they located a single-storey premises with smoke billowing from the roof.

“Crews made their entry and extinguished the fire, which was located in the kitchen,” a FRNSW spokesperson said.

“Thankfully, firefighters were able to contain it to that area.

“But, the house suffered smoke and water damage.”

While Newcastle City Police District is investigating the fire, the spokesperson advised people to never leave cooking unattended.

“It’s the leading cause of home fires in NSW,” he said.

Cooking fire safety tips

• Never leave cooking unattended. Stay in the kitchen while cooking and turn off the stove before you leave
• Don’t put anything metallic in the microwave and always double-check the timer
• Keep matches and lighters out of reaches of children
• There are many dangerous substances in the kitchen. Flammable materials such as aerosols, cleaning agents and cooking oils should be stored away from heat
• Avoid cooking under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Keep loose clothing, fabrics, tea towels, curtains and flammable items away from the stove
• Turn pot handles inwards. Pot handles hanging over the edge of the stove can be easily knocked or grabbed by children
• Keep your oven, rangehood and grill clean and in good working order. A build-up of grease and fat can ignite in a fire

If your pan catches fire, here’s what to do

• Turn off the stove (if safe to do so) and use the lid to cover the flame
• Never use water to put out a fat or oil fire
• Use a fire extinguisher or fire blanket in the first few seconds of ignition if you are confident
• Leave the kitchen, close the door and phone Triple Zero 000

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