The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has issued a safety appeal after a chip pan fire left a man hospitalised in Dumbarton yesterday (27 January).

Fire engines from Dumbarton and Balloch Fire Stations were mobilised following a 999 call at 6.47pm. Crews were faced with a fire in the kitchen of a ground floor flat on Merkins Avenue in the Bellsmyre area.

Firefighters entered the building and used a dry powder extinguisher to dowse the flames. They remained at the scene until 7.30pm.

The householder, who appeared to be suffering from smoke inhalation, was administered with oxygen by SFRS crews before being sent onto the Royal Alexandria Hospital in Paisley for further treatment.

Watch Manager Iain McCormick said: “Our crews were able to extinguish this fire quickly and effectively but it certainly highlights the dangers posed to homeowners by chip pans and fryers.

“There is always a high risk of fire when using traditional chip pans. They should not be filled with fat or oil by over a third, allowed to overheat or left unattended.

“Try and use modern electric deep fat fryers where possible. Most of these have a safety switch that cuts the power off to stop them overheating and catching fire.”

“You should never deep fry when you’ve been drinking alcohol or taking drugs or if you are feeling tired.”

Residents are advised to consider having a heat alarm installed within the kitchen, as the devices provide additional early-warning of a fire without activating due to small amounts of cooking-related smoke.

Free home fire safety visits are available from SFRS by calling the freephone number 0800 073 1999, by texting ‘FIRE’ to 80800 or by filling in an online form at www.firescotland.gov.uk.

During a visit, firefighters check to ensure the home is protected by working smoke detection and will even provide and install smoke alarms where the life-saving devices are found to be needed.