Back to SearchAfter a kitchen fire late Monday afternoon put one resident in hospital with burns to their hands and face, the City’s Fire Chief is reminding residents to remain vigilant when cooking.
The fire occurred just before 4 p.m. in the north end of the city when an unattended pot of cooking oil ignited in the kitchen of a basement apartment. Occupants of an upstairs apartment alerted the basement resident who left the building. Both the basement resident and another occupant re-entered the building and attempted to extinguish the fire before evacuating the apartment and calling 911. The basement occupant suffered burns and was transported to the Hamilton General Hospital burn unit.
“Fires related to cooking are one of the leading causes of fires in the home,” said Fire Chief Jeff McCormick, adding, “residents should always remain attentive to what’s on the stove and around it, they should never leave cooking unattended.”
Beyond being sure to not leave cooking unattended residents should be sure to make sure no flammable items such as rags, plastic utensils or paper towel are placed near hot surfaces. If a pot does catch fire occupants should never try to move it, instead they should turn off the heat and cover the pot with a lid to extinguish the flames.
The fire on Monday is a reminder to all citizens on the importance of ensuring once you evacuate a burning room or building do not risk injury by re-entering. Fire progresses extremely quickly making rooms untenable from smoke. Also, calling 911 upon discovery of a fire, ensures the fire department is responding while occupants are evacuating the building.
“Residents should never risk re-entering a burning building,” said McCormick. “Once you are out, stay out and wait for the Fire Department to arrive and help.”
Damage as a result of the fire is estimated at more than $15,000.
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