CLEVELAND Fire Brigade is urging people to come clean with their cooking.

It follows a recent increase in the number of kitchen fires being sparked by a build-up of grease and fat on cookers.

John Feeney, District Manager for Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland at Cleveland Fire Brigade said: “Cleaning surfaces can only take a few seconds but can be vital in reducing the chances of fat bursting into flames and causing serious damage, injury or even death.

“The message is quite stark and simple. Take extra care when cooking and don’t put yourself or your family at risk.

“We have been called out to an increase in kitchen fires in the past few days where fat and grease have been a catalyst for fire. Fortunately no one was seriously injured however these are a timely reminder that the kitchen is the most hazardous room in the home.”

More than half of all accidental fires at home start in the kitchen.