Welland man suffers burns in kitchen fire

A Welland man was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and second- degree burns to his hands and arms as a result of a kitchen fire Sunday.

And charges will be laid against the homeowner of 426 McAlpine Ave. for not having a working smoke alarm in the home, said Welland Fire and Emergency Services Chief Brian Kennedy.

Kennedy said firefighters were called at 6: 24 p. m. for a reported structure fire.

“The first truck was on scene at 6: 29 p. m. and there was smoke showing,” the chief said.

He said an officer on the first truck did a walk around the home and could see there was a fire in the kitchen.

Once a second truck was on scene, firefighters entered the home and found a cooking fire.

“The damage was contained mainly to the kitchen and there was smoke damage through the upper floor of the home,” said Kennedy, adding there was no fire extension into the rest of the home.

There were 39 career and volunteer firefighters on scene.

On Monday, Kennedy said he didn’t know the man’s condition.

Also Monday, the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal was on its way to Welland. Kennedy said the fire marshal is called in when someone is hospitalized as a result of burns from a fire.

“They want to know about that.”

Sunday’s incident was caused by a grease fire, the chief said.

He said the best thing to do in the event of a grease fire is cover up the pot or pan you are using. Trying to carry a pot or pan could lead to spreading the fire, getting burned or inhaling potentially toxic smoke.

“You should always have a lid beside the stove, never leave the stove unattended and if you have to leave the room, turn the heat off,” he said, adding a grease fire can happen very quickly.