House fire caused by unattended cooking

Grease on the stove led to the fire that heavily damaged an east Vancouver kitchen Tuesday evening, Vancouver Fire Marshal Heidi Scarpelli said.

Scarpelli said three juveniles were at the house, at 3201 N.E. 129th Ave., and cooking potatoes on the stove around 5:30 p.m. A pan was left unattended as the kids played, and the grease inside ignited.

The ensuing fire spread through the kitchen, destroyed some cabinets and created thick, black smoke, Scarpelli said.

The three got out of the house and called 911, she said, and the mother arrived home from work about five minutes later.

“Firefighters made an incredible stop on this fire,” she said. Firefighters on scene also successfully treated a cat for smoke inhalation. No one was hurt.

The fire did an estimated $40,000 in damage, she said.

“I think the message that I really want to convey to our citizens is these types of fires are preventable,” Scarpelli said.

“Keep an eye on what you fry,” she added. “You have to be in the kitchen, literally watching what you’re cooking. It’s an active process.”

The American Red Cross responded, and helped find temporary housing for three children and an adult.