A FAMILY of seven escaped from a house after a fire started in the kitchen of their Bolton home.

Four adults and three children evacuated themselves from the house after a pan of food caught light on top of the cooker.

It is believed the cooking had been left unattended.

Fire crews from Bolton North and Bolton Central were called to the property in Deane Road shortly after 9pm yesterday.

No one was injured. Firefighters wore two breathing apparatus and used a hose reel and a fan to extinguish the fire.

It followed an earlier incident at about 8.20pm yesterday, when crews had to rescue a 76-year-old man from a property after a pan of food caught fire.

Neighbours of the property in Marden Road, Manchester, called 999 after they heard a smoke alarm sounding and smelt smoke.

Three fire engines from Wythenshawe and Altrincham attended the scene and gained entry.

The blaze had started in a frying pan on top of the cooker, which was still on and unattended.

Crews rescued a pensioner, who was asleep, from the property. The man did not require hospital treatment.

Firefighters wore two breathing apparatus and used a hose reel to extinguish the blaze.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has now issued a warning to residents, urging them to be careful in the kitchen.

Residents have been reminded to always remain in the kitchen when cooking and never take risks.

GMFRS Head of Prevention, Area Manager Paul Fearnhead said: “Luckily no one was harmed at either of these incidents but these incidents could have been much worse.

“I’d like to remind members of the public to follow a few simple steps when it comes to cooking safety and most importantly to never leave cooking unattended. A range of safety advice can be found on our website.

“A working smoke alarm gives you vital time to escape if a fire did ever occur in your home, test yours every week to help reduce the risks of danger to you and your family. If you don’t have a working smoke alarm GMFRS can provide one for free as part of our Safe and Well visits.”

GMFRS has issued this further advice to residents if a pan does catch fire:

  • Don't panic and don't take risks
  • Don't move the pan
  • Never throw water or use a water fire extinguisher on a hot fat fire
  • If it's safe to do so - turn off the heat, but never lean over the pan to reach the controls
  • Leave the kitchen, close the door behind you, tell everyone else in the home to get out and don't go back inside for any reason
  • Call 999