FIRE chiefs have issued a warning after the owners of a house where a chip pan fire broke out made two vital errors in attempting to extinguish the blaze.
Crews from Burnley fire station were called out to the Wavell Street home at 11.45pm last night.
They said the owners threw a cup of water over the flames before carrying the pan outside while it was still on fire.
The resident was asleep when his housemate returned home and alerted him to the fire.
Sub Officer Neil Mark said: "To add insult to injury the fitted smoke alarm didn't have a battery.
"It was a complete recipe for disaster. When they threw the water over the pan it caused the fire to develop and flare up. Everything they did could have caused them serious injury.
"The best thing to do when there is a chip pan fire is to switch off the heat if it's possible, close the doors and call us immediately."
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