FIRES caused by chip pans and cooking with hot oil are on the rise in West Yorkshire, according to a report by the fire service.

Despite the popularity of chip pans decreasing over the years, around eight per cent of all house fires in the region are caused by chip pans or other hot oil cooking techniques like woks and karahis.

In the past year alone there have been 93 such fires, up from 78 the previous year.

West Yorkshire Fire Authority – a group of councillors that looks at the biggest issues facing West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service – asked for a report into chip pan fires due to the high number of blazes caused by the cooking method.

Tomorrow, the authority’s community safety committee will be given a report at an online meeting.

The report reveals claims that while the highest numbers of the fires occur in late afternoon, a significant number take place late at night or in the early hours of the morning, with many being linked to people cooking while under the influence of alcohol.

In the 2019-20 financial year, which ended in April, there were 26 hot oil fires in Bradford district. This was up from 21 the previous year.

The area of West Yorkshire with the most fires is Leeds’ City and Hunslet ward, followed by Middleton Park and Armley.

The report says: “As a service we are noting a slight increase in the number of fires involving cooking with hot oil. This is a county-wide trend."