A FAMILY of five have been praised after they escaped unharmed from a chip pan fire in their flat in St Helier.

The Fire and Rescue Service said that the family ‘did everything right’, from having installed a smoke alarm to making a fire escape plan.

Firefighters were called out just before 8 pm on Friday after an old chip pan which was left unattended caught fire and activated a smoke alarm. The blaze then spread to an extractor unit above the hob.

Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the flat and quickly extinguished the fire, which had sent smoke pouring through the property. Crew commander Craig Channing said: ‘The family members did everything right on being confronted by the fire and should be praised for their actions. On hearing the alarm, the owner did not go and investigate the fire but instead closed the door to the fire, got everyone out of the flat and
dialled 999.’

• Picture: A firefighter carries out safety checks in the wake of the blaze.  Picture: Jersey Fire and Rescue