A fire officer has issued a warning about the dangers of chip pans following a flat fire in Colwyn Bay where three people, including a three year old child, were treated for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters from Colwyn Bay and Llandudno were called to the first floor flat on Mostyn Road, Colwyn Bay and used two hose reel jets and four sets of breathing apparatus to tackle the fire, caused by a chip pan left unattended.

Fire damage was confined to the cooker but the entire flat received smoke damage.

The occupants, aged 20 and 19, and their three year old daughter, were treated at the scene by paramedics for slight smoke inhalation.

Smoke alarms at the property activated and occupants in the two flats above were also evaculated.

Gwyn Jones, Community Safety Manager for Conwy and Denbighshire, said:

“Leaving a chip pan unattended for any length of time can have disastrous results as the oil can easily overheat and ignite – even the smallest distraction could lead to a fire in a matter of moments.

“Oven chips or air fryers are safer as well as being healthier, but if you do choose to deep fat fry please don’t leave the pan unattended. If your chip pan does ignite, don’t throw water over it. Get out, stay out and call 999. Never tackle a fire yourself.

“Better still – throw away your old style chip pan altogether and use a thermostatically controlled deep fat fryer.”

 “It only takes a few minutes for a small fire to develop into one that is serious and life threatening. If you're asleep and a fire breaks out, you're in serious trouble - just a couple of breaths of smoke can be enough to knock you completely unconscious.”

If you do choose to deep fat fry your chips, follow our top tips to reduce your risk of fire;

• Don’t overfill a chip pan with oil – never fill it more than one-third full

• Be careful that it doesn’t overheat - hot oil can catch fire easily

• Use a thermostat-controlled deep-fat fryer, which will make sure the fat doesn’t get too hot

   • Never throw water on a chip pan fire

• Got the post pub munchies? Don’t cook after drinking alcohol

• In the event of a fire, have an escape route in place

• Don’t take risks by tackling a fire. Get out, stay out and call 999

• Get a smoke alarm and test it regularly

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service offers free home safety checks, where a member of the Service will visit your home, give safety hints and tips, help you to formulate a fire escape plan and fit new alarms - all free of charge. This service is available to all residents in North Wales.

To register for a free home fire safety check, please call the bilingual 24 hour free hotline on 0800 169 1234 or visit www.freesmokealarm.co.uk