Inverness cooking fire contained to kitchen; no injuries reported

Citrus County Fire Rescue (CCFR)

Inverness, Florida — At 9:40 pm on Friday, August 30, 2024, Citrus County Fire Rescue responded to a residence located on E. Swift Ct. in Inverness due to the report of a fire.

According to initial reports, a fire in the kitchen extended from the stovetop to the kitchen cabinets, and when the fire was found to be extended into the ceiling, and smoke was showing from the front doorway, the fire response was upgraded to a full structure fire.

Searches confirmed that all occupants had safely evacuated the home. Firefighters made entry through the side doorway with an attack line, and another team initiated fire suppression to the fire in the kitchen. The fire was under control at 9:55 pm, A 5-gas monitor sweep of the home revealed no toxic levels. Ventilation was completed, and the final unit cleared the scene at 11:55 pm. The power company arrived on scene and secured the power at the meter due to damage.

The homeowner reported, that when cooking on the stove, she accidentally turned on the wrong burner, left the kitchen and returned to find the fire. She quickly evacuated everyone from the home, including her granddaughter, who had celebrated her birthday earlier that day, then called 911.

Officials made arrangements for the retrieval of personal belongings from the granddaughter's room, including her dolls, and also contacted the Red Cross and 1-800-Board-Up to assist the family. The 1-800-Board-Up representative arrived, and the scene was officially turned over to their representative and the homeowner's family.

An investigation confirmed that the fire started on the stove, with extension to the cabinets and attic space, contained to the kitchen area. The fire was deemed accidental. Damages were estimated at $53,000. There were no reported injuries.

The residence had functioning smoke alarms, which played a crucial role in the early detection of the fire. This incident underscores the importance of regular maintenance of smoke alarms to ensure they are in working order, as they can save lives in the event of a fire. It's important to practice kitchen safety by never leaving cooking unattended and ensuring that stove burners are turned off when not in use. Simple precautions can prevent accidents and protect your home and loved ones.

Firefighters from the Hernando, Highlands and Kensington fire stations responded to the scene, along with a rescue unit

In the event of a fire, call 911.

Visit Citrus County Fire Rescue's website at www.citruscountyfire.com. Its non-emergency phone number is (352) 527-5406, and its business office is located at 1520 N. Meadowcrest Blvd. in Crystal River, Florida.