Unattended cooking fire damages Inglis residence
Inglis (Citrus County), Florida - At 8:34 am, on Sunday, August 4, 2022, Citrus County Fire Rescue responded to N. Moonlight Ter. in Inglis, Florida due to the report of a fire. The caller reported that an alarm was actively sounding and smoke could be seen, but they did not know if anyone was inside the home.
Firefighters arrived on scene to find a light haze of smoke coming from the side of the residence. They looked around the residence and found no outside hazards and also no vehicles at the home. Entry was made through the front door. Moderate smoke was found inside the residence. The power was secured at the main breaker panel. The fire was located on the stove in the kitchen, where a single pot containing food had caught fire and was smoldering. The fire was contained by the use of a water can. No fire extension or further damage was located. Firefighters began ventilation of the residence.
Members of the Engine 3 crew from the Homosassa Fie Station and Squad 7 from the Connell Heights Fire Station began a secondary search of the residence and and found a small dog. The dog was removed from the residence, and a pet oxygen mask was utilized (see photo).
The stove was unplugged as a precautionary measure. The fire was under control as of 8:54 a.m., and the last unit cleared the scene at 9:40 a.m. No injuries were reported. As firefighters were leaving the scene of the fire, the occupant arrived back home, and the power was then returned to the residence.
Citrus County Fire Rescue advises, if you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, that you check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while food is cooking, and that you also use a timer to remind you that you are cooking. Ranges or cooktops account for three-fifths of home cooking fire incidents. Unattended equipment is a factor in one-third of reported home cooking fires and over half of the associated deaths.
Firefighters from the DeRosa, Homosassa and Connell Heights fire stations responded to the fire, along with a Safety Captain.
Citrus County Fire Rescue can be contacted by phone at (352) 527-5406, or by dialing 911 in Citrus County, Florida, in the event of an emergency. Visit online at www.CitrusCountyFire.com, Facebook.com/CitrusCountyFireRescue, or Twitter.com/CitrusCoFire.