MARSHFIELD, WI (OnFocus) – On the evening of March 15, 2024, Marshfield Fire and Rescue (MFRD) responded to reports of an oven fire at Laurel Gardens Apartments, located at 617 W Laurel Ct, Marshfield, WI 54449. The incident occurred at 10:32 PM.
Upon arrival, MFRD found heavy black smoke emanating from the apartment complex. All residents had been evacuated safely, and preliminary investigations revealed that a fire extinguisher had been utilized by a Marshfield Police Officer to address the blaze, which was confined to the broiler drawer of a natural gas stove/oven unit.
An interior attack crew from MFRD entered the premises to assess the situation, encountering heavy smoke conditions in the first-floor hallway and the affected apartment. Fortunately, no active fire was found. Ventilation efforts were employed to clear the apartment complex of smoke and toxic gases, ensuring the safety of all residents. MFRD, assisted by the Marshfield Police Department, successfully managed the situation, with 11 firefighters responding to the call.
The cause of the fire was determined to be improperly stored plasticware in the broiler drawer, resulting in overheating. The stove/oven unit sustained significant damage, with walls surrounding the appliance visibly blackened. Smoke damage was also observed in the apartment of origin and adjoining hallways.
Thankfully, there were no reported injuries as a result of the incident. Lieutenant/Critical Care Paramedic Jonathan Altman of Marshfield Fire & Rescue emphasized the importance of kitchen safety, stating, “This is a good reminder to never store anything on a stove, in an oven, or in a broiler/warming drawer. Also, always remain present in the kitchen while cooking, never leave cooking food unsupervised.”
Residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with cooking safety tips available at the National Fire Protection Association’s website: https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/cooking.
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Author: News Desk
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