Georgetown Fire Dept. Responds After Woman is Injured by Cooking Fire
GEORGETOWN — Chief Matt McKay reports that the Georgetown Fire Department treated and transported a woman who suffered burns during a cooking fire Saturday evening.
On Saturday, Aug. 19 at 5:35 p.m., Georgetown Fire was dispatched for a report of a fire that had already been extinguished in a unit at the Longview at Georgetown apartments, 7 Patriot Lane. It was also reported that a woman had suffered burn injuries.
Upon arrival, crews found a 46-year-old woman who had suffered burns from a cooking fire. She was transported by ambulance to Lawrence General Hospital. There were no other injuries.
Fire crews found light smoke with no fire inside the apartment unit. Firefighters ventilated to remove the smoke before clearing the scene.
The Rowley Fire Department provided mutual aid at the scene.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking fires are the leading cause of reported home structure fires and home fire injuries in the U.S. The Georgetown Fire Department would like to share the following safety tips for cooking.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen, even for a short time, turn off the stove.
• Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stovetop. Keep the stovetop, oven, and burners clean.
• Keep a 3-foot kid-free zone around your cooking area.
• Heat oil slowly to the temperature you need for frying or sautéing. Add food gently to the pot or pan so the oil does not splatter.
• If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Do not move the pan. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time. Never throw water on the fire.
• If a fire starts in the oven, turn off the oven and leave the door closed. The oven should be checked and/or serviced before being used again.
• If you have a cooking fire, when in doubt, just get out and call the fire department.
