Managing director of Swiftclean, Gary Nicholls, has joined calls from the London Fire Brigade for restaurant owners and managers to ensure that kitchen extract ductwork and ventilation systems are regularly and thoroughly cleaned.
A major fire at a restaurant in Lisle Street, close to Leicester Square, yesterday (8 July) involved the ventilation system, according to London Fire Brigade, although the cause of the fire is still being investigated.

Four appliances and 20 fire fighters were needed to tackle the blaze.

Fire station manager Charlie Pugsley, who was at the scene, said: 'Crews worked really hard in hot conditions to bring the fire under control quickly and prevent it from spreading to surrounding buildings. The fire involved the restaurant's ventilation system. Businesses should make sure their ventilation system is kept clean as a build-up of fat and grease within extract filters can lead to a fire.'

Fire also broke out at yesterday at two other London catering establishments - in Boundary Road, St John's Wood and Bartholomew Street, Southwark - both of which were believed to have been caused by a build up of grease in the extract ductwork.

Gary Nicholls said: 'This perfectly illustrates the need to remove oil, fat and grease deposits in commercial kitchen extract ductwork on a regular basis. This requires specialist cleaning and different skills from those needed to keep a kitchen otherwise spotless.

'The ductwork isn't seen, but if not kept scrupulously clean, harbours the potential for a fire which poses a danger to life and limb and can represent thousands of pounds worth of damage plus a critical interruption of business to a restaurant.'

Swiftclean also warns that failure to keep ductwork clean can also render the building's insurance null and void. Regular expert cleaning, backed by informative certification can provide valuable protection and comprise critical evidence in the event of a claim.