A WOMAN who accidently set fire to a wok has prompted firefighters to warn about the danger of hot oil.

Crews were called to tackle a blaze in the early hours of the morning of Sunday May 19 at a house in Nightingale Avenue, Harrow.

It is believed that the wok, which contained hot oil, was left unattended on the stove and caught fire.

When the woman discovered the fire, she picked the pan up, took it to the sink, and poured water on it.

However, this fuelled the fire due to the reaction between the water and the oil.

The woman then put a duvet over the wok to try to smother the flames but the fabric caught alight and spread the flames further.

The victim was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation after the blaze.

A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: "Never, ever pour water on to a fat fire.

"In this incident, the fire intensified and became much more serious.

"If you're cooking with oil, you should never fill the pan beyond a third of oil, and if your oil starts to smoke, turn the heat off immediately."

FOLLOWING the dramatic exit of nine Labour Group members to the newly formed Independent Labour Group, a new cabinet has been announced.

Taking the reins as of today, the new cabinet contains only five members and two non-executive members.

A FRIENDLY society is hosting an event in Harrow and welcoming new members.

The Harrow branch of the Oddfellows club will hold the event at Harrow Arts Centre, Uxbridge Road, Hatch End on Thursday May 9 from 2pm to 4pm and anyone is welcome to join.

ACCUSATIONS of harassment and a 'toxic atmosphere' have laid bare the divisions within Harrow Council's Labour factions.

On Wednesday Councillor Akhtar, the newly-formed Independent Labour Group's secretary, announced a nine-strong list of councillors who had split away from Labour Group after the then council leader Thaya Idaikkadar was ousted at the Labour Group's annual general meeting, replaced by Councillor David Perry.

THE REBEL Independent Labour Group have been dealt a blow as one member is claiming they were never involved in the defiant split.

On Wednesday Councillor Akhtar, the newly formed group's secretary, announced a nine-strong list of councillors who had split away from Labour Group.

PUPILS were recognised for their business acumen after designing travel mugs in an enterprise competition.

Students from North London Collegiate School, Canons Drive, Edgware, created a business called sMUG, a travel mug project which won the award for best presentation.

DISSATISFIED left-wing councillors have "regrettably" split away to form their own faction within Harrow's council chamber.

The Independent Labour group has been created in the wake of the election of Councillor David Perry as the new leader of the ruling Labour group at its annual general meeting on Monday April 15.

This new nine-strong group announced its formation with Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar, who was deposed by Mr Perry but remains the leader of Harrow Council at least until the Mayor-making annual council meeting on May 21, as its leader today.

Councillor Krishna James, the Independent Labour group chairwoman, said: "It is with great regret that we have to form the Independent Labour Group. It was impossible to ignore the lack of fairness, equality and justice, and attempts to resolve matters have not been successful.

"The Independent Labour Group subscribes to Labour values and its members remain members of the Labour Party."

Nine councillors in total have joined the breakaway faction.

The current Mayor of Harrow, Councillor Nizam Ismail, and the Deputy Mayor of Harrow and new mayor-elect, Councillor Nana Asante, are also among the rebels.

Twenty-five councillors are left in the 'ruling' Labour group - the same number as the Conservative opposition.

Consequently no one group has overall control of the council and throws into question the future administration of the authority.

BOX:

INDEPENDENT LABOUR:

Thaya Idaikkadar

Krishna James

Husain Akhtar

Asad Omar

Nana Asante

Zarina Khalid

Raj Ray

Nizam Ismail

Mano Dharmarajah

HARROW COUNCIL'S POLITICAL MAKE-UP:

Labour 25

Conservative 25

Independent Labour 9

Independent 3

Liberal Democrat 1

MORE than 800 potholes in the borough have been repaired in a 'blitz' to fix up Harrow's roads.

Harrow Council has been fixing the potholes, reported by the public, since February. An additional £200,000 was made available after prolonged winter weather damaged road surfaces.

Harrow Philharmonic Choir is holding its annual choral day on Saturday, May 11, at St James's Church in High Street, Bushey, Hertfordshire, with the work to be rehearsed being 'Hymn of Praise' by Mendelssohn.
Rehearsal times are 11am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm and 4pm and those wishing to take part should telephone 020 8428 6865.
Scores of the work will be provided, but singers should bring their own lunch although refreshments are available.
The performance will take place at 5pm for which tickets are £10 forperformers, £5 for audience members and free for under-16s, all available on the door or via 020 8904 4644 or www.harrowphil.co.uk

Follow in the footsteps of home-grown Grand Slam winner Andy Murray by having a knock-up and a tour of the facilities at Harrow Baptist Tennis Club's Open Day on Saturday, May 18, between 12noon and 3pm at the club in Bonnersfield Lane.
Adults and children alike are welcome to play some casual or more serious tennis - the club will do its best to lend racquets to those without them - while the club's Lawn Tennis Association-qualified coach will be on hand.
Contact Peter on 07970 839159 for more details.