Tualatin Valley Firefighters Extinguish Wilsonville Kitchen Blaze

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TVF&R firefighters were dispatched at 10:24 a.m. on November 27, 2011 to a residential fire at 29384 Yosemite Street in Wilsonville. The first arriving crew reported an active kitchen fire was underway. As firefighters initiated an aggressive fire attack, another crew searched the home and determined that all occupants were out. The blaze was reported as completely extinguished at 10:39 A.M.

While there is smoke damage throughout the home, quick action by firefighters contained the fire to the kitchen area.

One person was sleeping in a back bedroom at the time of the fire and was awakened by the smoke alarm. When he opened the bedroom door, he was met by heavy smoke. He evacuated safely.

An investigator from TVF&R determined the cause of the fire was a burner left in the "on" position on the stove. Damage is estimated at $50,000.

SAFETY TIPS:
Approximately one out of every three fires TVF&R responds to begins in the kitchen. You can protect yourself from a kitchen fire by taking these steps:

1.    Never leave food unattended on the stovetop - turn off burners or set a timer if you leave the room for any reason.
2.    Heat cooking oil slowly and never leave it unattended. Turn down the heat if it begins to smoke.
3.    Keep combustibles away from the stovetop and keep your cooking area clean. If you experience astovetop fire and the fire is large or appears to be growing, do not attempt to extinguish it. Quickly leave your home and call 9-1-1 from a cell phone or neighbor's house. However, if the fire is still in the pan or oven and has not spread to nearby counters or cabinets, you may be able to extinguish it yourself through one of the following methods:

• Put a Lid on It. The easiest way to extinguish a small pan fire is with a pan lid. Turn off the burner and from the side carefully slide a pan lid over the pan. The lid will "smother" the fire, while turning off the burner removes the heat. Do not move the pan until the fire is completely extinguished and the pan is cool. If you do not have a pan lid, you may also use a baking sheet or pizza pan.
• Baking Soda. If the fire is still contained in the pan, you may use baking soda. Sprinkle a generous amount in the palm of your hand and "toss" upon the fire. If the fire is not extinguished after several attempts, use a fire extinguisher or leave your home and call 9-1-1.
• Use a Fire Extinguisher. Use a fire extinguisher only if the fire is small and has not spread outside the pan. The discharge of a portable fire extinguisher only lasts between 8 and 10 seconds.
• Shut the door on oven or microwave fires and turn off the heat.

*Note: NEVER transfer a burning pan from the stovetop to the sink or out the back door. The fire may grow in size and burn you or spread to countertop or cabinets. Also, never pour water on a grease fire. The flames will "splash," causing the fire to spread and likely resulting in burns to your body.



Author:Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue Press Release