Firefighters douse kitchen fire at Margate Ct. apartment on Memorial Day around 4 p.m.

Firefighters discovered a kitchen fire in one of the apartment units on Monday, May 30th at 4:09 p.m., after their units were dispatched to a fire located in the 7500 block of Margate Court in Manassas.

No injuries were reported. The occupants, two adults and one child, were home at the time of the fire but safely evacuated the home. 

Firefighters extinguished the fire while searching for further fire extension; no extension was found.

According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, preliminary damages are estimated at $15,000.

The area of origin was the stovetop.  The cause has been determined as unattended cooking and has been determined as accidental. 

Chief Kevin McGee of the Prince William County Department of Fire & Rescue (http://www.pwcgov.org/fire) would like to remind residents that cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries.  These fires are preventable by simply being more attentive when using cooking materials and equipment. 

Look When You Cook:
• Stay in the area of the cooking equipment when you are frying, grilling, broiling or boiling food.

• If you must leave the area, turn off the equipment.

• When simmering, baking or roasting, check it frequently and use a timer as a reminder.

• Keep cooking areas clean and clear of any and all combustibles (e.g. potholders, towels, rags, and food packaging).