UPDATE 2:40 p.m:
At 1:15 this afternoon North Bay Fire personnel from Station 3 and Station 1 responded to a structure fire at 488 Lakeshore Drive.
One person was in the house at the time of the fire but was able to safely escape.
Greg Saunders, Deputy Fire Chief said on arrival, firefighters from Station 3 encountered significant fire and smoke but were able to aggressively enter the structure and extinguish the fire in the kitchen area of the home. Unfortunately, the home had already suffered significant fire damage.
The home did not have a working smoke detector.
This is the second kitchen fire that North Bay Fire and Emergency Services personnel have responded to in the past three days.
Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires.
Here's a reminder of tips for safe cooking practices:
- Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.
- Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling or broiling food.
- If you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
- Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.
If you have a cooking fire
- Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
- Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.
- If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out.
- Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
- For an oven fire turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
Safety considerations for cooking with oil
Oil is a key ingredient found in the majority of today’s kitchens. Whether a recipe calls for frying or sautéing, we include oil in almost all of our daily cooking. When using any of the many oils to prepare your meals like olive, canola, corn or soybean, consider the following safety tips when cooking:
- Always stay in the kitchen when frying on the stovetop.
- Keep an eye on what you fry. If you see wisps of smoke or the oil smells, immediately turn off the burner and/or carefully remove the pan from the burner. Smoke is a danger sign that the oil is too hot.
- Heat the oil slowly to the temperature you need for frying or sautéing.
- Add food gently to the pot or pan so the oil does not splatter.
- Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time. Never throw water or use a fire extinguisher on the fire.
- If the fire does not go out or you don’t feel comfortable sliding a lid over the pan, get everyone out of your home. Call the fire department from outside.
· Use only a CSA approved deep fryer when deep frying. An approved deep fryer will only allow the oil to reach its cooking temperature because it has a built in thermostat.
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Original story
A house fire at 488 Lakeshore Drive near Lovell Ave. closed the street to traffic in both directions early this afternoon.
A witness says the smoldering fire started around 1 p.m. but everyone got out safely and no pets were involved.
Traffic is being detoured around Lovell to Blair St. and at Marshall Park Drive.
The road is expected to reopen around 3 p.m.
