BURLINGTON, N.C. — The Burlington Fire Department (BPD) responded to a house fire on North Sellars Mill Road just before 1 a.m. on Wednesday.
A turkey fryer that was heating up was left unattended for an extended period of time and started the house fire.
Fire crews arrived at the scene in just over two minutes from dispatch to find heavy fire and smoke showing from the sides and behind the house.
The house was evacuated, and crews immediately tried to put the fire out. A dog was inside the house and was rescued from the fire. A family cat was also able to escape the fire.
Crews got the fire under control in approximately 30 minutes.
"If it just takes one second, and the next thing you know, one of the multiple things you've got cooking at the same time could possibly start a fire. It's very important to pay attention to not only what you cook if you are cooking multiple things. If you have to cook multiple things at once, be very vigilant and keep your head on a swivel," Burlington Fire Department Captain David Sharpe said.
They were able to find something noteworthy from the house fire.
One of the bedroom doors was closed and the room inside was virtually undamaged by heat and smoke, while the remainder of the house was substantially damaged.
It is advisable to always close bedroom doors at night and ensure working smoke alarms in sleeping areas as well as hallways outside of the bedrooms and sleeping areas.
Officers said the damages to the structure are estimated to be approximately $150,000 and $50,000 to the contents.
BPD reminds the public as we enter the holiday season to be extra vigilant when cooking especially if people are going to be using a turkey fryer.
Here are three things to know when frying turkey:
#1 Use the fryer outside.
Don't put it in the garage, even with the door open. Don't put it under the porch overhang. The fryer needs to be outside and away from any overhang.
#2 Never fry a frozen or partially frozen turkey.
The turkey needs to be thawed or you could be seeing those big flames. It’s a good idea to pat your turkey dry before you put it in the fryer oil.
#3 Don't overfill the fryer.
If you put in too much oil it will bubble over and possibly cause a fire.
"You need to know how much oil should go in there so a day or two before, mark it out and fill the fryer with water and dip it in the frozen turkey, measure it out, mark it on the pot, do it a day or two before,” said Dee Shelton of the Greensboro Fire Department.
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