Fire and Emergency New Zealand is warning people to not leave their cooking unattended after two recent house fires in Auckland.
Fire Investigators found both incidents started after oil heating in a pan was left unattended and caught on fire.
Firefighters were able to put out the fires but not before both houses were badly damaged, leaving two families to find alternative accommodation at short notice.
FENZ said it only takes a brief distraction from cooking for a fire to start, whether it’s a phone call, something interesting on television, a bathroom break or your tamariki wanting your attention.
More than one in four house fires starts in the kitchen. If you need to step away from the stove even just for a moment make sure you turn it off until you get back, FENZ says.
Both houses had working smoke alarms giving those in the houses enough time to get out safely.
FENZ said working smoke alarms are essential to give you and your whānau an early warning of fire. It’s also important you have an escape plan prepared so that you can get out quickly and safely.
