A 'moment of panic' during a chip pan fire caused a fireball to scorch the kitchen ceiling of a woman's house in Banbury. 

A young woman threw a cup of water onto burning oil in a chip pan in an attempt to put out the fire which started in Marshall Road last night. 

Two fire engines from Banbury Fire Station were quickly on the scene but the fire had already been put out. 

Station manager Mick Clarke said scorch marks were visible on ceiling and said the woman took the "worst possible action."

He said: "The young lady was extremely lucky.

"Althought she thought she was acting correctly, unfortunately she took the worst possible action when confront with burning oil of a chip pan fire.

"In this instance, the scorch marks from the fireball were visible on the ceiling up to 15' away from the cooker."

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service took the opportunity to remind people not to use water on a fat pan fire and if possible turn off the heat and apply a damp towel to smother the flames.

If in doubt they advised people to raise the alarm, get out, close the doors and call the fire service.