[Press Release] : Unattended Cooking Fire Injures One

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Battalion Chief Steven E. Sapp, Public Information Officer,
573-499-7035 - Media Pager

Unattended Cooking Fire Injures One

COLUMBIA, MO (February 27, 2008) - Columbia fire fighters were called
just after 7:00 PM to 1102 North Garth Avenue on Tuesday, February 26,
2008, for a report of a fire on a stove and a burn injury. 

Fire fighters arrived and found light smoke in the residence and the
fire on the stove top extinguished. They also found the resident, Alyssa
Silva, 18, in the residence cooling burns with cool water from the sink.


Fire fighters noted the fire was out and attended to Silva who suffered
burn injuries to her left hand and chest. Silva was transported to
University Hospitals and Clinics for treatment of minor burns and was
expected to be released later in the evening. There was little to no
damage to the stove or the home.

Fire investigators determined from interviewing Silva that she had
placed cooking oil in a skillet on the stove and had left the kitchen.
Silva returned to the kitchen to find the grease in the skillet on fire.
Silva suffered the burn injuries when she moved the flaming skillet from
the stove top to the sink and tuned on the water in an attempt to cool
and extinguish the fire. The burning grease reacted violently with the
water and caused the hot grease to splatter onto Silva’s left hand and
chest causing the burn injuries. 

The Columbia Fire Department urges everyone to learn from this incident
and practice safe cooking techniques:

Never leave cooking unattended - not even for a minute. 

If you must leave the kitchen while cooking, turn off the burner(s) and
move the cooking utensil to an unused, cool burner. When you return, you
can begin cooking again. 

Always have available the proper lid for the pan or skillet out along
with a hot mitt. If you don’t have the proper lid for the pan or
skillet, have a baking sheet available. 

If a fire on the stove top occurs remember to, “Put a Lid On It!”
Use the proper fitting lid or a flat baking sheet to slide over the top
of the pan while you wear a hot mitt. Then carefully turn off the
burner. These actions remove two needed ingredients for fire - air and
heat. Let the pan cool for at least 20 minutes before you remove the lid
and clean up. 

NEVER use water to douse a cooking fire. Water and hot oil when
combined create a violent, explosive mixture which can rapidly spread
the fire and cause further fire damage and burn injuries. 

Don’t throw flour, sugar, or baking soda on the fire. While many of
us were taught to do this, throwing these ingredients on a fire can
splash the burning grease out of the pan and onto the stove top or
cabinets spreading the fire, and can also cause burn injuries. 

If you feel your safety is threatened, leave the house and call 9-1-1
from a neighbor’s house or from a cell phone once outside. 

And finally, “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives!” Remember to test
your smoke alarms each month and replace the batteries at least once a
year. Replace smoke alarms which are over the age of 10 years. 

For additional information on safe cooking practices, visit the
Columbia Fire Department website at www.GoColumbiaMo.com/Fire/ 

-30-

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