02-19-15 Update on Kitchen Fire on E. Main Street

Captain Andrew Waters with the Fire Investigation Division said the woman was heating up grease on the stove when it got too hot and caught on fire. When the woman attempted to move the burning pan, she spilled some of the boiling hot grease on her legs. No update was available on the woman's condition, but her injuries were not thought to be life-threatening. Captain Andrews estimated the dollar loss from the fire at roughly $40,000.

Cooking is the leading cause of fires in the home. Here are some safety tips:

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, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home 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.

Facts and figures

A study published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that 75% of range or stove fires started with food ignitions. Forty-three percent began with cooking oil; 33% started with fish or meat. Sixty-three percent of the range or stove fires beginning with food occurred when someone was frying.Fifty-five percent of the people who were injured in non-fatal reported home cooking fires during 2005-2009 were injured when they tried to fight the fire themselves.One of every four home fires reported in 2007-2011 started with fat or grease. One of every three reported fire injuries resulted from these fires.

Source: NFPA's Fire Analysis & Research Division