Man suffers serious burns in house fire

Nov 10 2011 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

A MAN needed treatment for serious burns following a chip pan fire at his Whitburn home.

Firefighters were called to a house in Glebe Road around 6.15pm on Monday night in response to a call that a house was alight.

They discovered that the blaze was confined to the kitchen, but found the 35-year-old resident had severe burns to his hands, arms and legs.

It’s thought that the man had tried to move the burning pan and its handle had broken off, spilling hot fat onto him.

The man was taken to St John’s Hospital where he was given treatment for his injuries.

A 76-year-old man, thought to be a neighbour, was checked at the scene for smoke inhalation but didn’t need hospital treatment.

The fire follows serious blazes which led to the demolition over the summer of Whitburn Miners’ Welfare and the town’s swimming pool, both on West Main Street.

In September, firefighters were called to a fire in the kitchen of a flat above the House of Spice takeaway on the same street.

And in October, the Madras Cottage in East Main Street was closed following a fire in its kitchen.

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said the latest fire shows the importance of taking care with hot fat.

She said: “The kitchen is the most common place in the home for a house fire to start.

“Chip pans in particular catch fire easily. We would urge people to swap to an electric deep fat fryer, which is much safer.

“If a chip pan catches fire, don’t try to move the pan or throw water on it.

“Call the Fire and Rescue Service, even if you think you've put the fire out.

“If you can, turn off the heat – but don't take risks. Put a damp towel over the pan to smother the flames.

“Leave the room closing the door behind you to avoid smoke inhalation.”