The Ottumwa Fire Department cautioned the public after responding to a cooking fire on Thursday.
The City of Ottumwa says firefighters responded to a fire called in shortly after 6:15 PM at an apartment on East Park Avenue. When personnel arrived at the scene, the fire was out but there was still smoke.
Firefighters looked for hot spots, disconnected the power to the cooking appliance linked to the fire, and used fans to clear out the smoke. Two individuals were treated at the scene and both refused further medical treatment.
The apartment was determined to be unfit for habitation. The property owner was able to find alternate housing for the apartment’s occupants.
The fire department wants to remind the public that water should never be used to put out a grease fire. Officials say the best methods are a metal lid or a properly rated fire extinguisher. The extinguisher should be rated for a Class B fire and the rating can be found on the side of the extinguisher. Most home fire extinguishers are A, B, and C rated.
