Essex Fire chiefs have issued a cooking safety warning following a kitchen fire in Grays.

A fire yesterday evening in Albermarle Close started after a chip pan, full of oil, was left unattended.

Three fire crews from Grays and Orsett raced to the fire at 6.10pm and extinguished it promptly.

The fire filled the property with smoke, which crews used a ventilation fan to clear.

No-one is believed to have been hurt in the incident.

Fire chiefs have issued a warning to people not to leave cooking unattended following the kitchen fire.

Station Officer Evan Jelliss from Grays Fire Station said: "You should never leave cooking unattended - if you have to leave the kitchen when you're cooking make sure you turn all your appliances off first.

"Just a moment’s distraction is all it takes for a harmless spot of cooking to turn into a potentially devastating fire.

The Fire Service have issued a set of cooking safety tips to make sure you stay safe in the kitchen: • Avoid leaving cooking unattended and never leave children in the kitchen alone.

• If you have to leave the kitchen to answer the door or send a text, turn off the cooker.

• Never leave children alone whilst cooking – what’s more important, your text or your child?

• Take care if you’re wearing loose clothing – they can easily catch fire.

• Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob.

• Check toasters are clean and placed away from curtains and kitchen rolls.

• Keep the oven, hob and grill clean and in good working order. A build up of fat and grease can ignite a fire.

• Take care when cooking with hot oil – it sets alight easily. If the oil starts to smoke – it’s too hot. Turn off the heat and leave it to cool. Ideally cook oven chips but if you are deep fat frying then use a thermostat controlled electric deep fat fryer - they can’t overheat.

• Never try to cook after a night out drinking. It is far better to grab a kebab on the way home than to attempt to cook while intoxicated.