Annandale house fire started in kitchen
The fire was in a house on the 3800 block of Ivydale Drive in the Sleepy Hollow Woods neighborhood in Annandale, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reports. When firefighters from Fairfax and Arlington counties arrived at about 2:10 p.m. on Dec. 9, they saw smoke showing from the front of the one-story, single-family home.
One occupant sustained a minor burn injury and was treated by EMS personnel on site. A firefighter who had a minor ankle injury was transported to the hospital. Three occupants were displaced by the fire and declined Red Cross assistance.
One occupant who was at home was alerted to the fire by a working smoke alarm. The occupant called 911 and attempted to extinguish the fire before safely evacuating the home.
The Fire Department offers the following kitchen safety tips:
- Have a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drinks are prepared or carried.
- Wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when cooking. Long, loose sleeves are more likely to catch on fire or get caught on pot handles.
- Keep things that can catch fire, such as dish towels, curtains, or paper, at least three feet away from the stove.
- Do not leave cooking food unattended. If you leave the kitchen, even for a short time, turn off the stove.
- Turn pot handles toward the wall to prevent burns caused by overturning or spills.
- Use pot holders or oven mitts when handling hot dishes.
- Regularly clean cooking equipment to prevent food or grease accumulation.
- Always keep an oven mitt and lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Do not remove the lid until it is completely cool.
- If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you and your clothing. Have the oven serviced before you use it again.
