Fire Department

On Sunday, March 17th around 10:00 p.m., firefighters responded to a report of smoke coming from an apartment on the 1400 block of Monroe Street.

Firefighters went to the 5th floor and knocked on the door, where they could smell burned food. No one answered, so they gained entry and found the entire apartment filled with smoke.

Crews found a pot of food on the stove, with the burner on high. No one was home at the time of the incident.

Firefighters ventilated the apartment of smoke.  The scene was then turned over to the General Manager of the complex.
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The National Fire Prevention Association recommends the following safety tips:

What you should know about home cooking safety

• 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.