Lillian Law, of Oregon, suffered extensive damage to her kitchen when the wrong burner on the stove was turned on and ignited the decorative burner cover.

The Fire

"I had bacon in the skillet, and I turned on the wrong burner, which was the back burner and I had a cover on it. I just went to wash my hands, but when I got back it was smoking so bad. I quickly grabbed the baking soda in the cupboard right next to it. I couldn't get the lid off the burner. It was too hot.

"I called my daughter-in-law who lives next door and she brought two fire extinguishers. It was blazing by then. It just took off like you wouldn't believe. We thought at first that we could put it out, but those two extinguishers were small ones.

"My daughter-in-law called my daughter, and my daughter called a neighbor who lives close and is very good at helping with things. He hooked up a hose and all. By then, the blaze — it was smoky all over the house, and I finally realized I had to get out. It was really getting into my lungs.

"The fire was in back of the stove already and going up the curtains. There was also a cupboard above the stove. I had my bottles of vegetable oil up in there. The bottle started melting. In a few minutes, the oil would have caught fire.

"I did call the fire department when I realized we couldn't put it out, and they said to get out of the house. I really should have gotten out earlier, I think, but you just simply think that you can handle it. And you can't see your house just go up in flames."

Advice To Others

"I will not turn the burner too high. You just don't have to put it on high. It just gets too hot. Also, really watch and make sure everything is off.

"I know I'll never put oil in the a cupboard above the stove again.

"You should keep a fire extinguisher handy so you will see it and know where it is. I hadn't put it up. I had it right in the next room, but I couldn't find it. It has to be closer because you just lose your mind almost."

What You Can Learn From Lillian's Experience Keep an eye on all food being heated. If a fire starts on the stove top or in the oven, turn off the heat immediately, if it is safe to do so. If a fire starts in your home, get out and stay out. As you escape, close all doors between you and the fire. Once you've escaped, call 911 from outside the home. It is dangerous to stay inside to make the call. Use a portable fire extinguisher to put out a small, confined fire only if you know when and how to use one properly. Before you begin to fight a fire, be certain that everyone has left (or is leaving) the building, and the fire department has been or is being called. Fire spreads quickly. People often overestimate their ability to extinguish a fire and underestimate the amount of time they need to escape.

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