A woman escaped a flat fire in Hillhouse last night.
Huddersfield firefighters say there was so much smoke from the kitchen blaze it filled the whole room and caused partial damage to the nearby living room of the flat at Shearing Cross Gardens off Whitestone Lane.
The cause of the blaze is believed to have been a pan of food on the hob which burst into flames, however the elderly woman spotted it and managed to get outside and call firefighters.
Watch Commander Andy Blackburn, of Huddersfield Fire Station, said the woman did everything right, but lessons can still be learnt for others from the incident: “Smoke detectors are vital and this lady actually spotted the fire and got out before the smoke detector actuated, then she called us before which is the right thing to do.
“But if people have a fire smoke is the main reason for the damage and people should close the door of the room where the fire is to limit the damage to the rest of the building.
“We understand people panic, when people have a fire adrenalin kicks in, but it’s a piece of advice to remember if you’re in that situation. But don't go back inside to close them, stay out."
Two crews from Huddersfield Fire Station were at the scene for an hour from 7.10pm and two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the ground floor property to fight the flames.
Two fans were then used to help clear the smoke and firefighters remained in the area to give fire safety advice to neighbours.
