Uttlesford had fewest number of kitchen fires in Essex in 2024, according to county’s fire and rescue service
Uttlesford had the fewest number of kitchen fires among the county’s 14 districts and boroughs last year, according to Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS).
It was the safest area on record with 12 incidents – an average of one a month – compared with 61, an average of five a month, in Southend-on-Sea.
In 2024, ECFRS attended a total of 439 kitchen blazes across Essex. It released the figures in a bid to raise awareness and help residents stay safe ahead of Cooking Safety Month.
Claire Monk, the service’s Live Safe manager, said: “By taking simple steps like never leaving cooking unattended and keeping items like tea towels away from the hob, we can all play a role in reducing risks.
“We’re proud of the preventative work we do, but these figures show there’s still work to be done. Cooking is something we all do every day and it’s easy to become complacent. We’re urging everyone to take the time to check their safety habits this month.”
The county’s 14 district and boroughs recorded the following number of fires: Southend-on-Sea 61, Basildon 58, Tendring 46, Thurrock 44, Colchester 40, Chelmsford 34, Braintree 28, Epping Forest 23, Harlow 22, Castle Point 21, Rochford 20, Maldon 15, Brentwood 14, Uttlesford 12.
Two dogs died in a kitchen fire last month at a house in Benfleet in Castle Point. Crews arrived to find a “significant” blaze on the ground floor and the whole property filled with smoke.
Station manager Russ Freeman said: “This is a devastating incident, with two people now displaced from their home and the loss of two beloved pets.
“We share details of incidents like this to help raise awareness and provide safety advice that could prevent similar situations.”
ECFRS offers an online home safety check at essex-fire.gov.uk/online.
TOP TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE IN THE KITCHEN
