The Duluth Fire Department responded to report of a structure fire at 15 E. 10 St. at 1:25 a.m. this morning. Upon arrival they found an occupied three story apartment building in which the first floor apartment was fully charged with smoke.
Occupants of the second floor apartment had heard the smoke alarms sounding on the first floor, and had reacted quickly by calling 911. Their quick action likely prevented a more serious outcome.
One female occupant of the first floor apartment was located and escorted to safety. She had fallen asleep and failed to hear the smoke alarms sounding in her apartment, partially due to influence of cold medication.
The cause of the smoke was quickly determined to be from a pan in the kitchen oven, which the tenant had left on to provide heat in the apartment. Smoke from the oven had rapidly built up within the apartment, and any delays in notifying the fire department could have resulted in a significant building fire.
The fire department cleared the apartment of smoke, allowing the tenant to return to her home.
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The community is reminded to please be sure smoke alarms are installed and operating, and that utilizing a kitchen oven for a heat source can lead to unwanted results.
-- Press release
