Abingdon Fire Caused $10K In Damage: Fire Marshal

ABINGDON, MD - Unattended cooking caused a fire in Abingdon Friday that burned one person, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

The fire at the townhouse in the 100 block of Long Meadow Court started at 4:59 p.m. in the kitchen.

A teen who was inside tried to put it out and sustained minor injuries as a result.

The 14-year-old boy burned his neck and hand in his attempt to extinguish the blaze, the fire marshal said. He refused medical treatment at the scene, according to authorities.

• Abingdon Townhouse Fire Burns One, Official Says

Approximately 25 firefighters responded and brought the situation under control within 15 minutes, officials said.

_{Photo courtesy of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company.}

The fire marshal ruled the blaze accidental, due to cooking that was left unattended in the kitchen.

There was $5,000 in damage to the townhouse, and $5,000 worth of items were lost as well, officials said.

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of house fires in the U.S., according to federal officials.

Here are four tips to prevent cooking fires from the U.S. Fire Administration:

• Turn the burner off if you leave the kitchen.
• Ensure pot handles face the back of the stove so nobody bumps into them.
• Turn off the burner if you see smoke or boiling grease.
• Keep a baking sheet or pot lid nearby in case a fire does start, to put it out.

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Main photo courtesy of the Office of the State Fire Marshal.