FIREFIGHTERS have warned the public to take extra care while cooking during National Chip Week.

The event runs until Sunday, and Humberside Fire and Rescue Service has urged residents to take care after attending 35 chip pan fires across the region last year.

Cooking-related fires accounted for 157 house fires in the Humberside and East Yorkshire areas last year, and they are the most common cause of house fire.

Allen Cunningham, community safety manager at Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Chips are a treat, but cooking them at home can be dangerous if not done properly.

“We strongly advise people not to use chip pans because they can quickly overheat and catch fire, the smallest distraction when using a chip pan can lead to a fire developing rapidly causing devastating effects.The safest way to cook chips is with a deep fat fryer, they are far safer as they are controlled by a thermostat and won’t overheat, or to opt for oven chips.”