YORK COUNTY — A residential kitchen fire Thursday afternoon has York County Fire and Life Safety officials stressing cooking safety to residents.
Fire and Life Safety personnel responded to the stove fire at approximately 4:15 p.m. yesterday on Tequesta Trail in the Tabb area. An occupant of the home reacted quickly and used a fire blanket to extinguish the fire, according to the department. Fire and Life Safety crews confirmed the fire was out and proceeded to ventilate the structure, officials said.
The Langley AFB Fire Department provided mutual aid during the incident.
The department cautions that cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires in the United States, and notes that with the holidays approaching, more people will be spending time in the kitchen preparing meals for family and friends. Fire and Life Safety officials are taking the opportunity to encourage residents to be alert when cooking and not be distracted by company.
Additionally, flammable items should be kept away from the stove, oven, and other heat sources, and be sure to have a fire extinguisher or other suppression device nearby.
Also, the department said to make sure the home has properly placed and functioning smoke alarms, as smoke alarms can reduce the risk of dying in a fire by almost 50%.
More information about smoke alarms is available on the department’s website. The department also offers information about kitchen fires on the website.
