Apple Pie Drippings Cause Oven to Ignite

The  responded to the following incidents during the week of Oct. 17-23:

 Oct. 17

• The fire marshal was called investigate a fire out in a mechanical room at . An overheated pump motor fire had been extinguished with a fire extinguisher by a custodian.
• Paramedic firefighters responded to 17 calls for Emergency Medical Service.
• Firefighters removed a person stuck in an elevator in the 6700 block of Vernon Avenue.
• Fire crews responded to Vernon Avenue and Tracy Avenue for multiple calls of power lines sparking. No sparking was visible upon arrival. One of the reporting parties was contacted for further information, which was relayed to the power company en route to further investigate. 
• A fire alarm reporting water flow brought the fire department to the 7500 block of York Avenue to investigate. Water was found flowing from a malfunctioning fire sprinkler head in an electrical room on the seventh floor. Water was shut down and the system drained. Xcel Energy was contacted to assist with proper isolation of the electrical system. The fire marshal remained on the scene to assist with mitigation. 
• Three false fire alarms were reported.

Oct. 18

• Six EMS incidents.
• Smoke from a reported vehicle fire was found to be steam from an overheated engine in the 5700 block of McGuire Road.
• Firefighters investigated a carbon monoxide alarm malfunction in the 5000 block of Windsor Avenue.
• Two false fire alarms were investigated.

Oct. 19

• The St. Louis Park Fire Department requested mutual aid assistance at an apartment fire in the 2500 block of Hwy. 100. Crews assisted by checking other units for extension.
• Eight EMS responses.
• Smoke was reported in a laundry room of an apartment building in the 7300 block of York Avenue. A damaged washing machine belt was found. The machine was unplugged and maintenance personnel were informed. 
• An odor of natural gas was reported at a business in the 7100 block of France Avenue. Firefighters found no odor and no measurable levels of gas. The gas company was contacted for follow up. 

Oct. 20

• Firefighters responded to the 5400 block of Vernon Avenue and extinguished a fire of leaves and twigs that had been blown up into landscape lights. Radiant heat from the lights started the leaves on fire. Lawn contractors had recently been on site doing lawn maintenance. 
• Eight EMS responses.
• Paramedics performed EMS at a vehicle crash with injuries at the intersection of France Avenue and Minnesota Drive.
• A vehicle crash with injuries occurred at the intersection of York Avenue and West 70th Street. 
• A person stuck in an elevator in the 5100 block of Eden Avenue was given assistance.
• A fire alarm brought firefighters to the 7500 block of Metro Boulevard. Smoke from burned food in a test kitchen on the 6th floor of the business set off the smoke alarm. Smoke was being exhausted using the vent system only, as there were no windows that could be opened. Maintenance was advised to wait until the smoke was fully vented to reset the fire alarm system.
• Firefighters responded to the 6100 block of Lincoln Drive for a possible oven fire. Burnt food caused the smoke, but there was no fire found.
• Two false fire alarms were investigated.

Oct. 21

• were first on the scene of a vehicle fire on Brookview Avenue and Valley View Road and were able to extinguish the fire in the wheel well area. A dry chemical fire extinguisher carried in the squad car was used. Firefighters arrived and disconnected the battery.
• 10 EMS incidents.
• Firefighters investigated a complaint of neighbors burning leaves. A small recreational fire was found improperly burning wet wood that was producing smoke. The resident was instructed that a Recreational Fires Permit was needed and would list the regulations. A permit application was left. 
• Two false fire alarms were reported.

Oct. 22

• 10 EMS responses.
• A request from the St. Louis Park Fire Department for mutual aid assistance was cancelled en route.
• A false fire alarm was investigated.

Oct. 23

• Firefighters investigated a report of flames in an oven in the 5700 block of Abbott Avenue. Edina Police first on the scene reported light smoke and a small fire in a gas oven. The oven was shut off and the fire went out. Firefighters investigated, finding no damage to the oven and suspect that drippings from baking apple pies caused the fire. 
• Two EMS incidents.
• Paramedics and firefighters assisted at the scene of a vehicle crash with injuries near the intersection of West 77th Street and Hwy. 100.
• Firefighters and paramedics responded to a home to test for carbon monoxide at the request of the Emergency Department at Fairview Southdale Hospital. No carbon monoxide levels were found. 
• A carbon monoxide alarm malfunction in the 5100 block of Lincoln Drive was checked.