Photo provided
Columbus firefighters work at the scene of a kitchen fire in the 1900 block of Keller Avenue Monday afternoon.
A local woman was injured as a result of a cooking fire Monday afternoon in the 1900 block of Keller Avenue.
Columbus firefighters were sent to 1904 Keller Ave. at 12:36 p.m. Monday on a report of a kitchen fire, said Capt. Mike Wilson, Columbus Fire Department spokesman.
When firefighters arrived on the scene, they reported heavy smoke coming from a single family home. Columbus Police officers told arriving firefighters that all occupants of the home were out of the residence, Wilson said.
As firefighters prepared to enter the residence, a large amount of fire was visible at the rear of the residence, which was later identified as the home’s kitchen. Firefighters also found that flames near a gas service utility meter located on the exterior of structure.
When firefighters entered the home, they encountered high heat and heavy smoke, Wilson said.
As firefighters attempted to move toward the kitchen, they encountered a large amount of rubbish inside the residence that slowed firefighter movement. The large amount of combustible materials inside the home provided a heavy fuel load, which intensified flames until the firefighters could reach the home’s kitchen, Wilson said.
Firefighters outside applied water directly on to the home’s gas meter as the firefighters inside extinguished the fire and began checking for more fire within walls and the ceiling. Due to the intense heat inside the home, an additional team of firefighters went to the roof and cut ventilation holes to release the hot gases and heavy smoke from the home, Wilson said.
The fire was marked under control within 30 minutes, Wilson said.
The homeowner told firefighters that she had a pot of food cooking on her stove, when she briefly stepped way to get produce from her garden. The homeowner told investigators that, when she returned to the kitchen, she found the stove was on fire. She he attempted to put out the fire with kitchen towel but in attempting do so, sustained a minor burn injury. The homeowner was treated and released at the scene after declining to be transported to the hospital.
Columbus Fire Department investigators have ruled that the cause of the fire is accidental as a result of unattended cooking, Wilson said. Damage to the home’s interior was significant, with high heat and smoke damage visible throughout the home.
The property owner told investigators that the home is insured. No emergency shelter aid was requested at the scene. Damages to the home are estimated at $30,000, Wilson said.
