An unattended chip pan nearly caused a major fire in Sheffield on Sunday.

Firefighters were called to a property on Manor Park Close, Manor at 12.14pm after reports of smoke coming up through the bedroom floorboards.

In fact, the source of the smoke was a chip pan which had been left unattended in the kitchen of a neighbouring property.

The house was heavily smoke logged, but all persons were accounted for and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus quickly put out the fire using a hose reel. No one was injured and crews left the scene at 1.31pm.

Chip pans are a major cause of fire-related deaths and injuries, but can be safe as long as simple guidelines are followed:

• Never fill a chip pan more than one-third full of fat or oil.
• Never leave the pan unattended when the heat is switched on.
• Never put the food in the pan if the oil begins to give off smoke.