A FIRE in a ground floor flat on Ratcliffe Cross Street, Limehouse, is believed to have been caused by cooking, the London Fire Brigade has announced. As a result, the Brigade has issued cooking safety advice.

The fire occurred on Friday, 21st August. Two men left the flat after the fire started, and 40 other residents left the block before the Fire Brigade arrived.

The Brigade received a call about the fire at 12.29pm. Four fire engines, from Poplar, Shadwell, Millwall and Shoreditch, attended the scene, bringing around 25 firefighters to the scene. The fire was under control by 1.17pm. A small part of the ground floor flat was damaged.

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What to do in a kitchen fire
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said, “If a fire happens when cooking, get out, stay out, close the door behind you and call 999. Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning when a fire starts and we would urge everyone to make sure they have one fitted in every room where a fire can start except kitchens or bathrooms where heat alarms are more appropriate.” 

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Firefighters' tips for safer cooking
•Don’t leave cooking unattended on the hob or grill – if you have to leave the kitchen, turn off the heat.
•Not feeling 100%? Order a takeaway – if you're very tired, have been drinking alcohol or are taking medication that might make you drowsy, it's safer not to risk it.
•Try to keep the oven, hob, cooker hood, extractor fan and grill clean – built up fat and grease can ignite and cause a fire.
•Double check the cooker and hob are turned off when you’ve finished cooking.

●For practical tips on safer cooking, go to:
Cooking and fire safety

●To catch up with the news in East London, go to:
East London News