Reno apartment ignites in flames from cooking mishap

RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — Reno Fire investigators found that a cooking mishap caused a downtown Reno apartment to ignite in flames Monday night.

The Reno Fire Department (RFD) responded to a fire at 8:13 p.m. located on the 11th floor of an apartment building at 1200 Riverside Dr.

Investigators say the fire started in the kitchen from an electric stovetop, which ignited combustibles that were placed next to it. The fire was only contained to one apartment on the floor but caused major damage to the entire unit.

The woman residing in the apartment managed to escape and was taken to Renown hospital for minor smoke inhalation.

According to RFD, cooking is the #1 cause of fires in the United States. RFD would like the public to be aware of the following cooking safety tips:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop, so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Keep children and pets away from the stove. The stove will be hot, and children should remain at least three feet away. Pan handles should be turned inward to prevent any accidental spills.
• Make sure children stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Keep the floor clear, to prevent family members from tripping on items such as toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Fryers should always be used outdoors, on a solid level surface and a safe distance from buildings and flammable materials.
• Never use a fryer inside or on a wooden deck, under a patio cover or in a garage.
• Do not overfill the fryer.
• Never leave the fryer unattended because, without thermostat controls, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
• Never let children or pets near the fryer when in use or after use, as the oil can remain hot for several hours.
• Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts and wear long sleeves and safety goggles to protect from splatter.

Grease fires cause the most injuries. Never pour water on a grease fire. Smother it, if possible, and let it die out. If grease ignites in your cooking pan, quickly put on an oven mitt and slide the lid over the flames as opposed to dropping the lid down from above. Turn off the burner and leave the pan exactly where it is so that it can cool. Never attempt to carry it outside or put it in the sink, as the fire can quickly spread to other combustibles or persons.

If a fire occurs in the oven, immediately close the oven door and turn it off. If the fire doesn’t go out right away, evacuate and call 9-1-1.

If a fire occurs in a microwave, close the microwave door and keep it closed. Turn the microwave off, and unplug it if you can do so safely. Leave it closed, and don't use it again until you can have the appliance checked out by a technician.

RFD also recommends purchasing a multi-purpose (ABC rated) Fire Extinguisher. To properly use a fire extinguisher, remember the acronym, P.A.S.S:

• Pull the pin
• Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire
• Squeeze the trigger
• Sweep from side to side