In 1971 we’d just moved into a house that had been fitted with a Hygena kitchen, so posh, I loved it! My husband was a fireman and he was on nights. I came home from work, rushing because I was having a Tupperware party that night so put the chip pan on the hob, popped across the road quickly just to ask to borrow a couple of chairs. Well, I got talking, completely forgot about the pan, didn’t I?
I eventually walked back up the drive, puzzled to see the kitchen window all black and smoky! I completely panicked, looked to see flames all up the eye level grill, up to the ceiling, melting the polystyrene tiles, so without turning the gas off or anything, I panicked, ran around all the houses for help, before finally ringing 999! I hadn’t turned the heat off or shut the doors or anything sensible. A neighbour came and carried the burning chip pan outside, still on fire, so dangerous.
I was so relieved so I rang 999 back crying, asking them not to send anyone as the fire was out and my husband would kill me! The operator said, too late, love! I could hear two fire engines coming up the hill preceded by loads of kids all very excited about this fire shouting that there was a fire on our road!
I was mortified as everyone knew we were Fire Brigade. Anyway, they were very kind and rang husband to explain everything was ok. Every single cupboard and contents in the whole house was black, it took weeks to clear up. The polystyrene tiles did most damage, dripping onto everything and filling the house with evil smoke. I’ve been laughed about a lot since but not really condemned for my stupidity which if it had been the other way round, I’m sure I’d have done!