Teen credited for saving siblings after air fryer caught fire in Harford County home
Fire investigators said three children -- ages 4, 10, and 14 - were home alone and were cooking French fries in an air fryer when the 14-year-old smelled smoke, and then saw the air fryer on fire.
She helped her younger brother and sister out of the Edgewood townhome and told a neighbor, who called 911, according to fire officials.
Investigators said the 14-year-old remained calm, got her siblings out, and told an adult.
Harford County deputies arrived first and closed the front door, which prevented further damage, according to investigators.
Firefighters contained the bulk of the fire to the kitchen, with significant heat, soot, and smoke damage throughout the remainder of the home.
Five family members from the home were displaced and assisted by Harford County Disaster Assistance.
It took 15 minutes for firefighters to contain the fire. The estimated damage was $75,000 to the structure and the contents inside.
If you own an air fryer, maintenance is important to prevent fires.
According to CNET, constant cleaning of the air fryer basket after each use and cleaning the heating coils monthly are key to preventing grease fires.
The Food Safety and Inspection Services says to never use water to put out a grease fire. Instead, use a kitchen extinguisher or cover the fryer with a metal lid and call 911.
Also, don't overcrowd the air fryer basket or leave the air fryer unattended.
In February 2023, popular kitchen appliances brand Cosori recalled two million air fryers after receiving 205 reports of the air fryers catching fire, burning, melting, overheating, and smoking, which resulted in injuries, including superficial burn injuries as well as property damage.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission urged consumers to immediately stop using the products, which have a wire connection that is prone to overheating, raising concerns that the fryers could catch fire and burn or otherwise injure consumers.
"After a thorough investigation, we determined that in extremely rare circumstances, the closed-end crimp connectors within the recalled air fryers — which are responsible for establishing electrical connections between certain wires — can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards," Cosori said in a statement on its website.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
7 hours ago
- Washington Post
‘College hazing' or training? Amid shortage, air traffic recruits wash out.
In his first few days guiding aircraft at the Oakland, California, air traffic control center, trainee Ryan Higgins deleted a plane's data from the radar screen. It was untrackable for a few frantic moments while more experienced controllers made sure the plane was on a safe path. The rookie mistake rattled Higgins and earned him a stern rebuke.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Structure felled by fire had divine roots
Jul. 26—WATERTOWN — As 235 N. Rutland went up in flames on Tuesday night, forcing its demolition two days later, a piece of the city's spiritual history fell with it. The apartment complex, at the intersection of North Rutland and Olive streets, was the original home of Emmanuel Congregational Church, now at 119 S. Hamilton St. Nearly 150 years ago, the Rev. W.T. Stokes of Rodman Congregational Church was chosen to start the first Congregational church in the city. To help in the mission, a principal donation was received from First Presbyterian Church, with other contributions from local Episcopalians, Methodists and Baptists. The lot was purchased from Edwin Paddock. The North Rutland Street structure was completed as a church in October of 1886 and dedicated a few months later. At the time, the population on the east/northeast side of Watertown was steadily growing. Emmanuel's Sunday school enrolled 40 children at its opening, which increased to 150 students in six months. According to Times files, the congregation outgrew the North Rutland Street site and ordered plans drawn for the new church at its present site. In June 1912, a contract was signed for the construction of the new building at a cost of $54,500 — about $1.9 million in today's dollars. The structure, made of Pamelia limestone, was built at a rapid pace, and in September of 1913, the Rev. Dr. Rockwell Harmon Potter of Hartford, Connecticut, preached the dedicatory sermon. The Times called the structure, "Magnificent, built by popular subscription." From its inception, the church has been not only a house of worship, but a social service center as it serves people of all faiths. On Sept. 15, 1913, the church published a classified advertisement in the Times: "For sale, cheap: Old Emmanuel church, corner of Olive and Rutland streets. Also, church pews in first-class condition. Good investment for tenement flat." When city fire crews arrived at the site at 9:31 p.m. Tuesday, heavy fire was seen in a rear stairwell entrance to an upstairs apartment. Fire had also spread to the attic. The fire prevented access to the attic, and as the fire progressed, firefighters were forced to go on the defensive. The structure sustained heavy damage and was deemed unsafe. City crews demolished it on Thursday and Friday. On Friday, Watertown City Fire Department Deputy Chief Michael D. Kellogg said there was one "legally occupied" apartment in the structure, which was owned by Tyler Gray. But there was evidence of a few others staying there. "Others weren't there with the approval of the owner," Kellogg said. "I don't know what that scenario was. I just know they were there, essentially, without permission. It's like similar structures within the city, which tries to secure them, but people break in." That has been an issue in Watertown and other communities. "People seek shelter and they're going to go where they can, legally or not," Kellogg said. "It's unfortunate, but it's kind of a sign of the times right now." An Emmanuel church official said Friday that anyone impacted by the fire and who may need assistance because of it should contact the church at 315-782-2650. On the web: Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Wolverhampton city centre buildings searched and evacuated as fire spreads
Firefighters searched and evacuated city centre buildings as an early-hours rubbish fire spread. Emergency services were called to Princes Square, Wolverhampton, at around 4.40am this morning (Monday, July 28). West Midlands Fire Service said the flames had spread to a ground floor outbuilding, while surrounding buildings were affected by the smoke. READ MORE: Great Bridge fire update as crews remain at scene almost 24-hours on A West Midlands Fire Service spokesperson said: "At around 4.40am on Monday, we responded to an incident on Princes Square, Wolverhampton. "Three fire engines responded, crewed by firefighters from Walsall, Bilston, and Wolverhampton fire stations. "This involved a rubbish fire that had spread to a ground floor outbuilding. "Surrounding buildings were affected by the smoke. "A total of six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the fire with hose reel jets. "Crews evacuated and searched neighbouring properties and shops due to smoke logging, ensuring there was no one trapped." The spokesperson told BirminghamLive the incident was "ongoing". As a result of the fire, Broad Street has been shut in both directions from A4150 Ring Road St Patricks to Princes Square as firefighters tackle the blaze. National Express West Midlands has warned passengers of "service disruption", with services diverted via Lichfield Street and Fryer Street.
