A home off Jerry Smith Road caught fire early Thursday, May 21.
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue responded the fire at 2813 Jerry Smith Road. The heavy smoke and flames caused firefighters to fight the fire from outside of the home.
The residents were evacuated prior to HCFR arrival. There were no injuries to civilians or personnel.
It was determined by the HCFR fire investigator that the fire was a result of a pot left unattended on the stove. According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries. The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. It’s important to be alert to prevent cooking fires.
Cooking Safety Tips:
– Be on alert. If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove
or stovetop.
– Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you
leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
– If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly,
remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that
you are cooking.
– Keep anything that can catch fire oven mitts, wooden utensils, food
packaging, towels or curtains away from your stovetop.
– Keep children out of the kitchen while cooking.
If you have a cooking fire:
– Just get out. When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the
fire.
– Call 9-1-1 after you leave.
– Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother
the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the
pan covered until it is completely cooled.
– For an oven fire turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
– Do not try to put water on a grease fire. It will intensify the fire.