LAS VEGAS, NV (KXNT) - Fire investigators believe that an unattended kitchen pan led to a fire at a northwest valley home on Sunday.
When firefighters arrived to the house near Vegas Drive and Buffalo they encountered heavy smoke showing from a one story wood frame house. Flames started to come out the roof line and vents of the house which indicated that the fire was probably in the attic.
When firefighters entered the smoke filled house, they found the fire was in the kitchen and it extended into the attic through the hood vent over the stove. Firefighters had the fire under control in less than ten minutes.
The fire caused heavy damage in the kitchen and in the attic of the house. The rest of the house had smoke damage. Damage was estimated at $75,000.
Fire investigators believe the fire started on the stove where a pan was found and extending to the rest of the kitchen. It appears no one was home which gave the fire time to spread undetected.
There was no reported injuries. At least one person is displaced, they did not request assistance.
Cooking fires are the leading cause of fires in Las Vegas and leading cause of fire related injuries in Las Vegas. Last night a woman tried to move a pan of grease on fire to the sink. She was able to do it, but got burned in the process. She was transported by ambulance to the University Medical Center’s Burn Unit with minor, but extremely painful burns to her hands. Pans that are fire should never be moved. It is better to shut the stove off first, then cover the pan with a pan lid, cookie sheet or something else that can cut off the air supply to the fire. If unable to do that, leave the house immediately and call 9-1-1. Make sure all other occupants are out of the house also.