West Springfield Cooking Fire Displaces 2 People

WEST SPRINGFIELD, VA — No one was injured when a cooking fire broke out at a West Springfield home Monday. Two residents were displaced, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue says.

Firefighters responded to a single-family home in the 6200 block of Lavell Court around 7:43 p.m. Monday. One resident had discovered the fire in a second-floor kitchen and evacuated with her child.

Firefighters found fire in the kitchen with extension into the kitchen and quickly put it out. Investigators determined the cause of the fire was unattended cooking materials on the stove.

The fire department estimated damages were around $93,750. The two displaced residents declined Red Cross assistance.

After the fire, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue issued a reminder about cooking safety. The following tips were offered on preventing and addressing cooking fires:

• Keep a kid-free zone of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
• Wear short or tight fitting sleeves when cooking.
• Keep things that can catch fire like dish towels, curtains, or paper, at least three feet away from the stove.
• Do not leave cooking food unattended, even for a short time.
• Turn pot handles inward, facing the wall to prevent burns caused by overturning or spills.
• Pot holders or oven mitts prevent burns when handling hot dishes.
• Regularly clean your cooking equipment so that there are no cooking materials, food items or grease accumulation.
• Always keep an oven mitt and lid nearby when you are cooking. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Do not remove the lid until it is completely cool.
• If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you and your clothing. Have the oven serviced before you use it again.