Warning after cooking fire burns

Chip pans left unattended are a problem say the fire service

Fire officers say they are concerned people are not heeding warnings about leaving cooking unattended after four house fires in recent days.

The most serious in Dwygyfylchi near Penmaenmawr, Conwy on Sunday resulted in a 19-year-old man being taken to a burns unit on the Wirral.

A spokeswoman said the man suffered 40% burns in the incident.

Householders are urged to ring North Wales Fire Service on 0800 169 1234 for a free fire safety check.

"Officers are extremely concerned that the message still does not appear to be getting through," said the spokeswoman.

"We had a very bad weekend and people still seem to be thinking it won't happen to them, but it could happen to anyone."

'Less injuries'

The service was called to the fire at Dwygyfylchi at 0448 BST on Sunday. Three other people in the house escaped unhurt.

There was 90% damage to the kitchen and extensive smoke damage throughout the property.

The other fires were at High Street, Rhosllarerchrugog, where a woman in her 20s was treated for smoke inhalation by the ambulance service; Pendalar Flats in Caernarfon; and Pen y Cwm in Llandudno.

The fire service are also calling on all householders to fit a working smoke detector.

"The 19-year-old man could well have escaped with less or no injuries had there been a smoke detector in the house," said the spokeswoman.

"Last week a fire in a property at William Street , Bangor was discovered by a passer-by who heard the smoke alarm as he passed, preventing worse damage," she added.