Man Burned By Grease Fire In Colorado Springs

A resident and a neighbor teamed up to minimize damage from a kitchen fire on Monday in Colorado Springs.

The fire was reported around 3 p.m. at a home near North Nevada Avenue and Dublin Boulevard, according to the fire department, and the blaze was out when crews arrived.

Mike Gentry said he had just returned home from work when he saw smoke coming from the windows of the home. He said when he approached to help, he saw the male resident running out and holding a burning pot of hot oil.

Firefighters said the resident was cooking french fries in a pot of oil that boiled over, and he was trying to take the pot outside before it spread the flames. The resident burned his hand in the effort, firefighters said.

Gentry said he went to the kitchen and helped the resident put the fire out. Firefighters said the resident, whose name wasn’t released, was taken to a hospital by his mother.

Firefighters said the resident tried to extinguish the flames with water, which is not recommended for grease or oil fires. Every home should have a fire extinguisher rated for use in a variety of fires, firefighters said.