April 6, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2010-17) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org UNATTENDED COOKING CAUSES HOUSE FIRE A house fire was reported at 2900 Alston Court Monday evening, April 5 at approximately 9:50 p.m. First arriving firefighters reported heavy smoke and fire coming through the roof of the single story, wood frame structure. The occupants escaped unharmed. The fire originated in the kitchen and spread to the attic and through the roof. There were varying degrees of smoke, heat and fire damage throughout the structure. Fire investigators determined the fire started from an unattended pan of grease left on the stove. The fire caused an estimated $38 thousand in damage. No injuries were reported. Engines 2, 9, 16, truck 24, rescue 24 and District Chief John Young responded. Cooking related fires are the leading cause of home structure fires and associated civilian injuries, especially in apartments. Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in these fires. In the U.S., firefighters respond to an average of over 150 thousand cooking related fires. Mobile Fire-Rescue responded to at least 120 known cooking related fires in 2009. Some things to remember: • 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 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. ###