‘Chips can seriously damage your health’ was the message that was put across by the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service when they visited the Science Department on Friday lunch time. Girls watched from a safe distance as an egg cup of water was added to burning oil in a wok and suddenly the temperature spiked to over 800 0C as flames engulfed the pan. At such a high temperature water is vaporised and effectively spreads the oil droplets like a firebomb.

The science of chip pan fires was explained thanks to the help of the fire brigade who brought their very own demonstration vehicle to show girls the damage that can be caused. Chip pan fires cause one fifth of all the accidental house fires attended by the fire and rescue service in the UK each year, with over 4000 people being injured in this type of fire each year. The message was clear; people are more precious than kitchens. Get out and leave the job to the professionals.