Every year, the Seattle Fire Department responds to hundreds of stove related fires. Accidentally turning on a stovetop burner is one of the main causes of these fires.
On October 1, a home fire in northwest Seattle started from a stovetop burner that was accidentally left on. A teapot left on the burner most likely ignited nearby combustibles causing the fire to spread.
Tips to prevent stovetop fires:
- Keep all things that can catch fire away from the stove top – oven mitts, towels, papers, food packaging, cooking utensils and shopping bags.
- Keep the stoptop clean. Food, oil, grease become additional fuel to a hot burner.
- Always check stove burners before leaving your home or going to bed.