Man Suffers Second-Degree Burns When Extinguishing Cooking Fire: FD

AURORA, IL — A man sustained second-degree burns across his upper body as he extinguished a fire that started on his stove Tuesday afternoon, according to officials at the Aurora Fire Department.

Fire crews were called to the three-story apartment building in the 300 block of Old Indian Trail at 3:30 p.m. for an activated fire alarm. When they arrived, they found moderate smoke coming from one of the units, where the 63-year-old man lived.

The resident was cooking when a fire started, which he extinguished, causing burns on his face, back of his head, and right arm and hand, officials said. Paramedics treated him before bringing him to a local hospital.

Crews extinguished the fire, checked to make sure it hadn't spread, and ventilated the unit, which was deemed habitable with only minor fire damage contained to the kitchen.

A total of two engine companies and one truck company responded to the fire, which was upgraded to a Box Alarm, bringing in a battalion chief and medic unit, officials said.

In a news release Friday, officials took the opportunity to provide tips about home cooking safety. They noted that between 2015 and 2019, cooking was the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries and the second-leading cause of home fire deaths.

Take a look at the fire department's tips here.

• Be on alert. Don’t use the stove or stovetop if you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol.
• Stay in the kitchen while 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 a cooking fire starts:

• Just get out. When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
• Call 911 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 turning off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
• Do not use water to extinguish a grease or cooking oil fire.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.