Two Kensal Green residents were lucky to escape unharmed after they tried to tackle a kitchen fire in their property themselves.

Six fire engines and 35 firefighters sped to the house in Kilburn Lane around 5.41pm on Wednesday (February 8) after their neighbour fortunately alerted the brigade.

Crews from North Kensington, Paddington, Kentish Town and Kensington fire stations all attended the incident, which damaged part of the ground floor of the two-storey house.

Station Manager John Ryan, who was at the scene said: "Leave firefighting to the professionals, never tackle them yourself but get out, stay out and dial 999.

"It’s also important to ensure materials like tea towels, napkins and clothing are kept well away from cookers and naked flames like gas hobs as they can catch fire very quickly and can easily spread to other surfaces."

One man tried to extinguish the fire himself, but had to leave the property due to the smoke.

Kilburn Lane, NW, where 35 firefighters bought a fire under control after residents tried to put it out themselves

A woman also left the property before arrival of the crews and both were uninjured.

An investigation into the fire showed that some material had fallen onto the gas hob which caught fire.

The blaze was under control by 9.41pm and neither of the two in the property were injured.


