“Most fires start in the home in the kitchen,” and often are not as easily solved as was the case in Wednesdays’ incident, said Cpt. Harber.If a cooking appliance such as the oven broiler has not been used for a time it should be checked and cleaned if needed.Food should never be left unattended in the broiler or on the stove...stepping away from the kitchen even for a short period of time could cause any small fire to get out of hand rapidly.All homes should have a fire extinguisher kept in or near the kitchen.If there is a fire from cooking food don’t throw water on it as burning oil could splatter causing a spread of the fire and injury.Stove and burner fires can spread rapidly to painted or stained cabinets that are highly flammable and contain items that could further fuel the blaze.“Fire safety around the house relies a lot on common sense and paying attention,” said Cpt. Harber.
SPFD: Cooking fire found to be minor but a reminder of home fire safety
January 06, 2006
Santa Paula News
A report of what might have been a structure fire was found to be broiler grease that caught fire, according to a Santa Paula Fire Department spokesman.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesA report of what might have been a structure fire was found to be broiler grease that caught fire, according to a Santa Paula Fire Department spokesman.SPFD Captain John Harber said that engines responded to the 500 block of Sycamore Street on Wednesday, Jan. 4 after a 12:40 p.m. 911 report that smoke had filled the residence.Upon arrival SPFD firefighters found that old grease in the broiler had ignited filling the residence with smoke.The fire had not spread, noted Cpt. Harber.“Firefighters ventilated the residence” to remove the smoke and there was no reported damages.“The broiler hadn’t been used for a while and when the resident fired it up” old grease caught fire causing billows of smoke, said Asst. Fire Chief Kevin Fildes. “It got smoking really good...”The woman resident turned the stove off and called 911.
