Firefighters are reminding people of the dangers of drinking and cooking after three people had a lucky escape in the early hours of yesterday morning when an unattended pan caught fire.
 
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service was called to a first floor flat on Sturgess Rd in Bognor at 1.38am yesterday morning (May 28) after a neighbour in the flat below was woken by his own smoke alarm.
 
After raising the alarm the quick acting neighbour was able to rescue one male before being beaten back by the smoke, while a female occupant managed to escape safely after initially trying to tackle the fire.
 
Crews from Bognor and Chichester were on the scene within minutes, and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus immediately entered the smoke-filled flat and found the third occupant asleep, bringing him out to fresh air and safety. The fire was quickly extinguished and the flat ventilated.
 
All the flat occupants were assessed by paramedics but did not need hospital treatment.
 
Green Watch Manager, Jon Etherington, said afterwards-
"We are very relieved that nobody has been hurt in this incident because it was potentially life-threatening. Cooking food late at night whilst tired or under the influence of alcohol is all too often a recipe for disaster. If you're hungry when you come in from a night out, choose something that doesn't need to be cooked.
 
This incident also highlights the importance of having working smoke alarms. Although the flat was fitted with smoke detectors, the batteries had been removed, leaving them unprotected. The actions of the brave neighbour, alerted by his own smoke alarm, may well have saved their lives, although we would urge people not to put themselves in danger by entering a property if they think it may be on fire - call 999 immediately."
 
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service offer FREE Home Fire Safety Checks - call 0800 3286487 to find out if you are eligible.