NEWS RELEASE: PORTLAND FIRE TREATS FOURTH BURN PATIENT IN THREE DAYS

July 23, 2010

2:38 PM

Portland Fire & Rescue has now treated four patients for cooking-related burns in the last three days.

A cause has been determined by Portland Fire Investigators for a fire that happened earlier today at 4617 NE 95th Avenue. vestigators report that a grease fire on the stove caused the fire, resulting in three occupants who needed treatment at the scene for smoke inhalation.  One of the patients, a female, was transported to Emanuel Burn Center with severe burns. A photo of the scene is attached.

On Wednesday, Portland Fire treated three burn patients in two separate incidents.  One incident resulted in a female being transported to Emanuel Burn Center with severe burns that occurred from a barbecue fire.  The fire started when a cap fell off a bottle of lighter fluid and squirted a large amount onto the fire.

Later that day, Portland Fire responded to reports of a grease fire on a stove.  Two occupants were injured when they moved a pan that spilled flaming vegetable oil.  This resulted in two patients being transported to Emanuel Burn Center with severe burns.

MEDIA AVAILABILITY

A Public Information Officer will be at Portland Fire Station 5, located at 1505 SW DeWitt in Portland, Oregon from 4:00 to 4:30 pm today to meet with reporters for a cooking safety demonstration involving live fire and fire suppression techniques.

Portland Fire reminds citizens to exercise caution when cooking and if a cooking fire does happen.  Make sure to:

• Cover the pan and turn the stove off
• Only use baking soda or an approved extinguisher on the fire (no flour or water)
• Do not move a pan until cooled completely
• If a fire extends, or you are unable to immediately extinguish it, evacuate all occupants and call 9-1-1 immediately

  Portland Fire & Rescue We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

  July 23, 2010