Plano Fire-Rescue responded to a house fire caused by a pan of oil left unattended on the stovetop Monday afternoon.

Fire crews were dispatched to the fire on Brazos Trail just before 5 p.m. on Nov. 18 and arrived to find heavy fire throughout the home. After completing an initial search and starting to attack the fire from the inside of the house, it was determined that the home was too damaged to continue the fight from inside, and crews exited the home to continue the firefighting from the outside. The fire was extinguished in 40 minutes.

The homeowner was out of the home when firefighters arrived and was treated at the scene for mild smoke inhalation. He told firefighters that he had placed a pan of oil on the stovetop to heat in order to fry fish. He left and returned to find the kitchen engulfed in fire.

The home sustained major fire, water and smoke damage throughout.

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires across the United States and in Plano specifically. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that you stay in the kitchen when you fry, grill, or broil food. Turn off the stove if you leave the room, even for a short time. Don’t use the oven or stovetop if you are sleepy, have consumed alcohol, or are using drugs.

Story courtesy of Peggy Harrell, Public Information Officer, Plano Fire-Rescue