FIREFIGHTERS have praised three women whose quick-thinking actions prevented a serious kitchen fire in Northfleet last night.

Fire broke out at a home in Pier Road at 10.42pm after oil was over-heated in a pan sitting on an electric hob.

When food was added to the pan it caught on fire and firefighters were called to the two-storey property.

Thames-side crew manager John Allwright said: “Luckily the women didn’t attempt to move the pan, which could have resulted in serious injuries.

“They switched the electricity off at the wall, put damp towels and a lid over the pan, starving the fire of oxygen and preventing it spreading.”

Firefighters arrived within four minutes and one of the three women was taken to hospital for precautionary checks. The other two were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.

Mr Allwright added: “Luckily the women were in the room at the time, did exactly the right thing and also had the benefit of working smoke alarms.

“Their quick thinking actions certainly avoided a more serious incident.

“If you’re cooking with oil and fat you need to be aware, it reaches extremely high temperatures and is an ideal fuel for fire.”