Peterborough Residents Escape Fire Due To Smoke Alarms

Working smoke alarms alerted occupants of a Peterborough house to a fire in their kitchen, allowing them to safely evacuate. Crews from Stanground and Dogsthorpe attended a house fire in Orton Goldhay last weekend (Sunday, February 5, 2023). 

On arrival, they were faced with thick smoke coming through the front door. Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus quickly entered the property and extinguished the fire using a hose reel. Once the fire was under control the property was ventilated to remove smoke from all the rooms.

smoke alarm

The occupants were uninjured, but the fire caused significant damage"

Station Commander - Gareth Boyd said, “The occupants of the property were upstairs when the fire started, which started in the extraction fan above the cooker in the kitchen. The smoke alarm activated, alerting them to the fire, so they were able to quickly and safely exit the house and call 999."

Gareth Boyd adds, “This shows how important it is to have working smoke alarms on every floor of a property, as the fire spread throughout the kitchen very quickly. The occupants were uninjured, but the fire caused significant damage.”

Cause of fire

The fire was most likely caused by a fault in the extractor, which spread quickly due to a build-up of grease in the fan and items being stored on the cupboards beside the unit.

Station Commander - Gareth Boyd stated, “It is important for any premises, both homes and businesses with kitchens, to ensure extraction fans, filters, and hoods are cleaned regularly to prevent the build-up of oils and fats, as these will make a fire spread quickly.”