QUICK actions by neighbours helped prevent a serious kitchen fire after a chopping board was left on a cooking hob this afternoon, Wednesday.

Shortly after Noon, Fire Control received a call for help.

Fire Control said: ‘Two fire appliances from Newton Abbot were mobilised to a property on Foxhollows off of Shaldon Road, in Newton Abbot, following a call from a neighbour saying they could hear the smoke alarms sounding and smell smoke.

‘The occupants were not believed to be home at the time of call. 

‘Crews were soon on scene and gained access to the two storey house, where they quickly located the fire in the ground floor kitchen, involving a wooden chopping board that had accidentally been left on the cooker hob.

‘Luckily the fire was contained to the chopping board, with crews removing it to the outside, having extinguished itwith buckets of water.

‘The fire was prevented from spreading any further due to the quick actions of the neighbour who dialled 999 and the rapid response/actions of our fire crews.

‘Damage was confined to the chopping board and cooker hob only and there were no casualties. Once the scene was made safe duty of care was left with the owners.’