Grease Fire Torches Newport Apartment

A kitchen caught fire early Saturday while residents prepared to fry food. They escaped unharmed, but a firefighter suffered moderate burns, a fire official said.

The blaze was reported about 12:16 a.m. at a second story apartment in the 16000 block of Westcliff Drive, near Buckingham Lane, according to Jennifer Schulz of the Newport Beach Fire Department.

"Two residents were home and preparing to fry food when the grease flashed above them and caught fire to the kitchen area," Schulz explained. "The fire quickly spread with the grease fueling a superheated environment, forcing the residents to abandon their home and call 911."

A second alarm was called to combat the fire's spread to neighboring units and all residents of the complex were evacuated. The Red Cross was on hand and assisted three residents displaced by the fire, Schulz said.

It took firefighters about 20 minutes to knock down the blaze and an additional two hours to ensure the complex was safe for residents. The fire caused an  estimated $85,000 in damage to the second-story apartment and the unit below it.

The injured firefighter was transported to the Western Medical Center Burn Facility in Santa Ana and treated for moderate burns.

It was a busy night overall in Newport Beach, there were 14 other calls for emergency service during the time firefighters were fighting the kitchen fire, Schulz said.

The Newport Beach Fire Department issued the following grease fire safety tips:

• Turn the Heat Off - Don't try to move the pot. You might accidentally splash yourself or your kitchen with burning oil.
• Cover the Pot with a Metal Lid - Use a metal lid since glass will shatter.
• Pour on Baking Soda - Baking soda will extinguish grease fires, but only if they're small. It takes a lot of baking soda to do the job.
• Spray the Pot with a Class B Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher
• Get Out and Call 911

Steps to Avoid:

• Do Not Use Water - Pouring water can cause the oil to splash and spread the fire. The vaporizing water can also carry grease particles in it, also spreading the fire.
• Do Not Move the Pot or Carry It Outside
• Do Not Throw Any Other Baking Product On the Fire - Flour might look like baking soda, but it won't react the same. Only baking soda can help put out a grease fire.