Homeowner floods flat in Portsmouth by ignoring Valentine's Day breakfast and setting off kitchen sprinkler

A DRENCHED homeowner flooded their flat by setting off its sprinkler system after ignoring their Valentine’s Day breakfast.
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Three fire crews were scrambled to Chandos Rise, in Buckingham Street, Landport, after the building fire-suppression system was triggered.

Two teams from Southsea fire station and a third from Cosham arrived outside the nine-storey complex at about 9.30am today.

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The occupant of the flat had been frying chips in a hob when they left it unattended – causing it to smoke and set off the sprinkler system.

Chandos Rise, in Buckingham Street, Landport, where a fire took place on Valentine's Day. Photo: GoogleChandos Rise, in Buckingham Street, Landport, where a fire took place on Valentine's Day. Photo: Google
Chandos Rise, in Buckingham Street, Landport, where a fire took place on Valentine's Day. Photo: Google

The small blaze was out before fire crews arrived. But officers said the sprinkler system had caused plenty of water damage to the property.

Southsea crew manager Rich Wilson said: ‘If you’re going to cook on a hob, don’t leave it unattended. Always monitor it.

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‘This chip pan had been left unattended, setting off a single sprinkler in the kitchen. It caused water damage to the flat.’

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Fire crews remained at the scene for about 90 minutes making the scene safe and clearing smoke from the building.

They left the scene at 11.15am.

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