News

June 22, 2012

Ankeny Fire Department concludes investigation of recent fire at senior housing complex                       

Contact:
Rex Mundt
Fire Chief
515.965.6475
rmundt@ankenyiowa.gov

ANKENY, Iowa (June 22, 2012) - The Ankeny Fire Department has concluded their investigation of the apartment fire the occurred on June 15, 2012 at the Oakwood Terrace Senior Housing Complex at 1125 W. First Street. The fire displaced eight tenants . Total fire loss to the building and its contents was $200,000.

After reviewing the fire scene and interviewing tenants, Ankeny Fire Marshal Craig Fraser determined this was an accidental fire resulting from food left unattended on the stove.

The Ankeny Fire Department would like this opportunity to remind residents never to leave food unattended on the stove or in the oven. Above all, never attempt to move a burning pan. Either attempt to place a lid on the pan or extinguish the fire with an extinguisher. If you are uncomfortable doing either, leave your residence and call 911 from a neighbors phone.

Facts and Figures

In 2010, cooking was involved in an estimated 156,400 home structure fires that were reported to U.S. fire departments. These fires caused 410 deaths, 5,310 injuries and $993 million in direct property damage. Cooking caused 44% of reported home fires, 16% of home fire deaths, 40% of home fire injuries, and 15% of the direct property damage in 2010.

• Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in these fires.
• Two-thirds (66%) of home cooking fire started with the ignition of food or other cooking materials. 
• Clothing was the item first ignited in less than 1% of these fires, but these incidents accounted 14% of the cooking fire deaths. 
• Ranges accounted for the largest share (58%) of home cooking fire incidents. Ovens accounted for 16%. 
• Three of every five (58%) reported non-fatal home cooking fire injuries occurred when the victims tried to fight the fire themselves. 
• Frying poses the greatest risk of fire.
• Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires.

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