Man seriously burnt in effort to douse grease fire in kitchen

A man was taken to Yuma Regional Medical Center with significant burn injuries from a fire in his kitchen Tuesday afternoon.

A Yuma Fire Department press release states that personnel responded to a report of a person with burn injuries just after 2:30 p.m.

YFD spokesperson Mike Erfert said the incident occurred in a mobile home located in central Yuma. After YFD personnel found the burn victim, he was treated and transported to YRMC.

Fire investigators determined that the victim was heating grease on the stove and left the kitchen for a short time. Then, the grease in the pan ignited, which set off a smoke alarm.

The victim threw water on the burning pan of oil in an attempt to put out the fire, according to the release. That caused an explosive reaction between the water and burning grease, spreading the fire and igniting the victim’s clothing and causing serious burns.

Damage to the kitchen was limited to the area immediately surrounding the stove.

YFD would like to remind the public that the most common place for fires to start in the home is in the kitchen, and the most common place in the kitchen for fires to start is on the stove top. Additionally, the most common reason for those fires is unattended cooking.

YFD warns never to use water to try and extinguish a grease fire. Alternatively, YFD says a dry chemical fire extinguisher or, if it can be done safely, placing the pan’s lid on top of the flame and turning off the stove are better methods of putting out a grease fire.

It is better still, YFD notes, to exit the home and call 911 to avoid injury.