Fires sparked by chip pans

Published on 16/07/2012 12:31

ONE in ten house fires are sparked by unattended chip or hot food pans, new figures show.

Statistics collected by the Scottish Tories from the country’s eight fire services showed that in 2011, 10.4 per cent of fires were caused by chip pans, compared to 9.6 per cent in 2010 and 2009. Lothian and Borders recorded the highest number, at 22.7 per cent.

Margaret Mitchell, the party’s local government spokeswoman, said: “There used to be awareness campaigns warning the public about the risks of hot food pans. “So many fires are avoidable, but that is particularly true of hot food pan fires, so the idea of a campaign needs to be revisited.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said they would work to educate people about fire prevention measures.