A WOMAN was rushed to hospital after trying to fight a fire caused by a chip pan blaze.

Crews from Thames-side were called to Christianfields Avenue, Gravesend, at arund 6.30pm on Monday where they found the woman – believed to be in her 30s – tackling the fire by placing wet towels over the fryer.
Explaining what had happened watch manager Lawrence Pater said: "It was actually an electric flyer which she had put on the gas hob, not realising it was alight. She went out and returned to hear her smoke alarm sounding and that the oil had caught light."

The woman suffered smoke inhalation and after initial oxygen therapy by firefighters she was taken to hospital by paramedics. She was discharged later the same evening.

Mr Pater went on to warn people of the dangers of fighting fires.
He said: "At this point we would urge people not to tackle the fire themselves but to get out, stay out and call the fire service."
Fire crews managed to limit the damage to five per cent of the kitchen. The following tips can help to keep your family and home safe from the potentially devastating effects of fire:
• Don’t leave pans unattended. Take them off the heat if you leave the room. Remember, fire starts when your attention stops
• Turn saucepan handles so that they don’t stick out from the hob
• Never fill a pan more than one third full of fat or oil. If the oil starts to smoke, do not begin cooking - remove from the heat and leave it to cool • Keep the oven, hob and grill clean - a build up of fat and grease can easily catch fire
• If you are going out for a night out and may be drinking, try and pre-plan for your return home and take a snack from the fridge or cupboard instead of turning on the cooker for a hot meal.
• Fit smoke alarms on every floor of your home, and test the batteries regularly
• If there is a fire, get out, stay out and call the Fire and Rescue service. Kent Fire and Rescue Service offers fire safety advice and free home safety visits, during which, if necessary, smoke alarms will be fitted free of charge. To take advantage of this service, call for free on 0800 923 7000.
Alternatively, for more advice on how to keep you and your family safe from fire, including how to regularly test and maintain your smoke alarms, log onto www.kent.fire-uk.org.