Unattended Kitchen Causes Port St. John House Fire

Firefighters arrived at 6:00 p.m. and found heavy smoke coming from the single story home.  All occupants were out of the home on arrival but two pets, a pit bull named Delilah and a cat, were reportedly still inside.

Fire crews quickly deployed hose lines into the home and extinguished the blaze.  Firefighters searched the home and located both pets who were successfully rescued from the home and reportedly in good condition.  No injuries were reported to occupants or firefighters. 

The home was occupied by three adults (a mother, daughter, and adult grandson) and the pets. The residents told investigators that they were cooking and left the kitchen area unattended while moving to other areas of the home.  Upon returning to the kitchen, they discovered a fire that originated  at the stove and was spreading quickly to other areas of the kitchen.  The family immediately called 911 for assistance and left the home.

The fire was contained to the kitchen and damages have been estimated at $10,000.  The home was insured but was not equipped with working smoke alarms.  The family will be displaced and is being assisted by the Red Cross.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, about 3,500 Americans die each year in fires and another 18,300 are injured.  Unattended cooking fires are a leading cause of those fires. 

BCFR would like to offer the following safety tips: