Fire Department

This was an accidental fire caused by unattended cooking. The occupant was heating oil in preparation to cook a meal before stepping out of the kitchen. When the occupant discovered the grease had caught fire, she attempted to extinguish it with water, further spreading the fire. Fire was contained to the apartment of origin with extensive smoke damage to the neighboring apartment, causing approximately $65,000 in total damage.

A lid placed on the pan caused the oil to reach its ignition temperature faster, and the use of the wrong extinguishing method was also a contributing factor in this fire. Additionally, multiple doors were left open during evacuation, allowing fire and smoke to spread.

SAFETY TIPS & REMINDERS: Should you be confronted with a small cooking fire involving hot oil, do not apply water to it. Because oil and water do not mix, water can push the hot oil, which can the fire and cause injury. Instead, smother the fire with the lid of a pan to deprive the fire of oxygen. If the fire grows to a size larger than a small waste bin, it is time to evacuate immediately, closing doors and windows behind you as you’re able, and call 911. Leaving doors and windows open allows air to fuel the fire, causing it to grow and spread to other rooms and hallways.

Visit CloseYourDoor.org for more information about why closing doors is an effective way to keep fire contained, potentially saving lives and property.

--PIO Cynthia Schuster

Eleven people are displaced, and one taken to the hospital, following a fire at 2314 Brentwood Parkway.

Neighbors called 911 after noticing smoke coming from the building and seeing flames shortly thereafter. Medic 10 arrived on scene at 3:11 p.m., noting plumes of black smoke in the area as they approached the address. Occupants were already evacuating when Engine Company 10 arrived.

With fire venting from the windows of the two-story, four-unit apartment complex, firefighters initiated fire attack from the outside as crews entered the building and began knocking on doors to get any remaining occupants out. Firefighters quickly transitioned to an interior fire attack to extinguish the remaining body of the fire, located in one of the second-story units.  

One person was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The American Red Cross is providing assistance to those who have been displaced.

Damage estimates are not yet available. The cause of the fire is under investigation.