Fire damages local home

SANDPOINT — A structure fire Thursday evening could have been much worse if it weren’t for some well-prepared local residents.

After receiving an emergency call from neighbors around 6 p.m., Sandpoint Fire Department personnel responded to reports of smoke billowing from a duplex on S. Third Avenue. However, by the time they arrived, the fire was pretty much out thanks to some quick work with a fire extinguisher, according to Capt.. Jake Hilton of Sandpoint Fire Department.

“The end result was that the structure is still livable,” he said. “There was only some minor damage to the kitchen.”

The fire occurred when the residents put some oil on the stove and forgot about it. Eventually, the oil caught fire, which spread to some nearby cabinets. When one resident noticed the blaze, he retrieved a fire extinguisher from the closet and thoroughly doused the fire. According to Hilton, all firefighters had to do was tear out a little sheet rock and ventilate the house. All in all, the call lasted less than an half hour and only caused about $5,000 in damages.

Hilton sees the incident as a great example of the right thing to do during a kitchen fire. The most important thing was that the family was prepared with a fire extinguisher already on hand. That single investment can be the difference between a quickly-contained incident and a full-scale inferno, he said.

“We rely on citizens doing the right thing to make our jobs easier,” Hilton said.

It also pays to be especially mindful when in the kitchen, he added. The majority of house fires start in the kitchen, so making sure all stoves and ovens are turned off when not attended is essential. If the fire, like in this case, involves oil, never try to pour water on it. Since oil and water don’t mix, it will only make the situation worse. Instead, put a lid on the pan or sprinkle baking soda to contain the fire.

As always, a fire extinguisher in a convenient location — preferably posted on the wall in an easy-to-spot position — is the best first line of protection. Smoke detectors are also essential. To that end, the Sandpoint Fire Department can show city residents how to operate their fire extinguishers and provide and install smoke detectors in homes. Simply call the department at 263-3533.