by Sam Lennon

Householders have been warned not to tackle fires themselves after a pensioner suffered face burns when he tried to put out a blaze.

The man, in his 70s, made the mistake of throwing water on a pan of burning oil in his kitchen, which then exploded, burning both his face and arms.

Ashford Fire Station manager Lee Rose said: “Never try to tackle a fire yourself. You could get seriously hurt.

“In the event of a fire, get out, stay out and dial 999. No-one’s possessions are worth more than their lives.”

The fire broke out at a flat in Meadowsweet House, Hackfield, Ashford, at 1.30pm yesterday (Thursday).

Firefighters says the victim had left his cooking unattended and a pan of hot oil had caught light.

When he discovered the fire threw he water on it and the oil exploded. The flames then spread to curtains and nearby cupboards and nearly engulfed the kitchen.

The man fled his flat and firefighters gave him first aid before an ambulance arrived and took him to hospital.

Fire damage was limited to the kitchen.

Mr Rose said; “Despite all our efforts to get the message across about the dangers of cooking with hot oil we are still being called to number of fires in the home involving old style chip pans.

“In just a few minutes the oil can overheat and cause the pan to ignite.

“My advice is throw away your old style chip pan. Thermostatically-controlled deep fat fryers are a far safer option.

"Leaving any kind of coking unattended places you at risk - people don’t realise how quickly a fire can take hold.”