Stove Fires Keep Everett Fire Crews Busy

November 24, 2016

Everett, Everett Fire

stove

Mutual Aid crews from Fire District 1 disconnect from the hydrant on 98th street.

Kitchen incidents are a leading cause of fires in homes. Especially on holidays. Today one family’s Thanksgiving suffered when a pot of oil caught fire on a stove top. The person cooking used a nearby pile of clothes to cover the oil fire. That set the clothing on fire. Crews from Everett Fire were able to get a quick knock-down but the kitchen had filled with smoke and the addition of Dry-Chem residue from the firefighting efforts made the main area of the house uninhabitable. The Red Cross was contacted to assist the people living there. That fire was reported shortly after 10 AM.

An hour later there was a report of an oven fire in an apartment on Rainier Drive in north Everett. Crews also arrived quickly and got the fire out. The residents didn’t have to leave but firefighters used heavy duty fans to clear the smoke.

Here are some kitchen fire safety tips and things to do if you have a kitchen fire from the National Fire Protection Association…

Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries. The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. It’s important to be alert to prevent cooking fires.

What you should know

Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.

Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling or broiling food.

If you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.

Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.

If you have a cooking fire

Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.

Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.

If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out.

Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.

For an oven fire turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

Safety considerations for cooking with oil

Oil is a key ingredient found in the majority of today’s kitchens. Whether a recipe calls for frying or sautéing, we include oil in almost all of our daily cooking. When using any of the many oils to prepare your meals like olive, canola, corn or soybean, consider the following safety tips when cooking:

Always stay in the kitchen when frying on the stovetop.

Keep an eye on what you fry. If you see wisps of smoke or the oil smells, immediately turn off the burner and/or carefully remove the pan from the burner. Smoke is a danger sign that the oil is too hot.

Heat the oil slowly to the temperature you need for frying or sautéing.

Add food gently to the pot or pan so the oil does not splatter.

Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time. Never throw water or use a fire extinguisher on the fire.

If the fire does not go out or you don’t feel comfortable sliding a lid over the pan, get everyone out of your home. Call the fire department from outside.


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