A CARE home kitchen burst into flames at the weekend when a fire started in a deep fat fryer.

A residential home in Danbury alerted emergency services to the home on Saturday.

Crews from Chelmsford and Maldon rushed to the scene to make sure the building was safe for staff and residents.

Firefighters wore breathing apparatus as they worked to extinguish the fire.

No one was harmed by the fire and it was said to have been dealt with quickly by the service.

A spokesman for Maldon Fire Station said: “Firefighters from Maldon today assisted colleagues from Chelmsford after a fire started in a deep fat fryer at a residential home in Danbury.

“Crews wearing Breathing Apparatus extinguished the fire and ensured the building was safe for all residents and staff.”

In a set of advice on cooking with deep fat fryers, a spokesman for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “Take care when cooking with hot oil – it sets alight easily.

“Make sure food is dry before putting it in hot oil so it doesn’t splash.

“If the oil starts to smoke, it’s too hot. Turn off the heat and leave it to cool.

“Use a thermostat controlled electric deep fat fryer where possible.

“They can’t overheat. If your pan catches fire, turn off the heat if it is safe to do so and never throw water over it.”

The care home declined to comment when approached by the Maldon and Burnham Standard.