Accidental Cooking Fire Causes $15,000 in Damage at Montclair Home

Prince William County fire and rescue units responded to a structure fire at a single-family home on the 16000 block of Deer Park Drive in Montclair around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Upon arrival, fire and rescue units observed smoke showing from the rear of the residence. After entering the residence, firefighters discovered a kitchen fire on the second floor of the home that extended into the attic. Fire and rescue units proceeded to attack and extinguish the fire and found no further extension of the fire elsewhere in the home.

Three adults and one child were displaced by the fire. No injuries were reported. Damages to the residence, which was declared unsafe by a building official on the scene, are estimated around $15,000.

Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and injuries. Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue would like to remind residents to Look When You Cook:

• Stay in the kitchen if you are frying, grilling or broiling food.
• Turn off the stove, even if you leave the kitchen for a short period of time.
• Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stove, i.e. oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains.
• NEVER throw water on a grease fire! If possible, cover the pot/pan with a lid and smother the fire.

If you have a cooking fire,

• Just Get Out! DO NOT attempt to fight the fire!
• Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number AFTER you leave. When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
• Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number AFTER you leave.