A stove top grease fire displaced two families from a Kent Easthill Apartment complex earlier today. At 2:45 p.m. Kent Fire Department emergency units were dispatched to the 22400 block of the Benson Road Southeast for a stove top grease fire which was spreading rapidly up the walls and into the cabinets according to the caller. The first arriving fire department units reported smoke and flames were visible from a window of the second floor apartment. Upon entering the apartment firefighters found the fire had spread throughout the kitchen.

Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the kitchen fire and then searched and extinguished any hidden fires. The resident said she was heating oil on the stove and fell asleep. She was awakened by the smoke, evacuated the apartment with her small child and called 911. The Kent fire Investigator ruled the fire accidental and estimated damages at $30,000. The second floor apartment suffered fire, heat and smoke damage throughout and the downstairs apartment received water damage. The two displaced families are staying with family and at a hotel locally. No injuries to any residents or firefighters were reported.

Fire safety tip

Don’t leave oil heating on the stove unattended. If it catches fire, simply put a lid on it. The lid keeps the fire from spreading and smothers the fire out.