2 Homes Go Up in Flames Thanks to Grease Fires

Two cooking-related fires in the past two days have officials at Hillsborough County Fire Rescue asking residents to be extra careful when whipping up meals.

The first fire was reported Sunday at 5230 E. State Road 60 in Dover. In that fire, unattended grease left on the stove was to blame for the blaze that displaced a family from a single-wide trailer.

No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.

The second incident happened Monday morning at 13218 Early Run Lane in Riverview. When firefighters arrived on the scene, they found heavy smoke coming from the home.

“While executing the initial 360-degree search, they saw a hand on the window,” an email to media from the department stated. “Engine 3 broke the window and rescued the trapped occupant.”

That blaze was also caused by unattended grease left on the stove, the department reported.

The rescued occupant was treated on site, but not taken to the hospital. No other injuries were reported.

Cooking fires are the No. 1 cause of home fires and home injuries, Nacole Revette, fire rescue’s spokeswoman said. To avoid these fires, she recommends:

• Not using the stove or oven if you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol
• Staying in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling food. Turn off the stove if you do have to leave.
• Check food that is baking, boiling, simmering or roasting regularly. Use a timer to remind you when food should be done
• Always keep items that are flammable away from the stovetop
• Making sure small children stay out of the kitchen while cooking is in progress

Should a fire break out, the department recommends:

• Getting out and closing the door to help contain the fire
• Calling 911
• Keeping a lid nearby to smother small grease fires while cooking should they erupt
• Turning off the oven if an oven fire breaks out and keeping the door closed
• Not putting water on a grease fire since this will intensify the flames

Photo Credit: Grease was the cause of a fire that broke out in a Riverview home Monday morning. Photo courtesy of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue