Pan fire in kitchen of first-floor flat

Mellish Court, Melrose Avenue, Bletchley

Two appliances and crews from West Ashland, one from Broughton and an officer attended. Firefighters used one hose reel and two sets of breathing apparatus.

Further appliances from West Ashland, Broughton, Newport Pagnell and Woburn, along with the Command and Control Unit from Aylesbury, were also initially mobilised, but ultimately not required.

Because the standards now expected to prevent the risk of smoke and fire spreading between flats and floors have changed since Mellish Court was built more than 60 years ago, Milton Keynes Council introduced a 24-hour warden service earlier this month to help with the early detection of a fire and initiate the evacuation of the entire premises if necessary.

While carrying out a regular patrol, a warden heard the smoke detector, could smell smoke, called 999 and alerted the occupant.

On arrival, two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the flat, where they found a smoking pan of rice on the hob.

Crews remained at the scene for an hour checking for any potential fire spread both internally and externally, and confirmed that none was discovered.