Maine Teen Seriously Injured in Cooking Oil Fire

A 16-year-old girl suffered serious burns in an accidental cooking fire at a Searsport home Tuesday.

Investigators with the Maine Office of State Fire Marshal responded to the home at 33 Prospect Street on July 28 to determine how the fire started.

According to investigators, the teenager was upstairs in a bathroom when she heard the home’s smoke alarms go off. When she went downstairs, she found the kitchen filled with smoke and a pot of cooking oil burning on the stovetop.

In a press release from Maine Department of Public Safety, they explained that the girl reportedly attempted to carry the burning pot to the kitchen sink. As she moved it, the oil flared up, causing severe burns to her legs and torso. She then dropped the pot.

The teenager was initially taken to Waldo County General Hospital before being transferred to Maine Medical Center in Portland for specialized treatment. Officials said burns covered approximately 30% of her body.

Despite the severity of her injuries, the fire caused only minor damage to the home.

Investigators classified the fire as accidental.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding residents never to use water on a grease fire, as it can cause burning oil to spread or explode outward. People should also avoid trying to move a burning pan because of the risk of spilling hot oil.

When it is safe, officials recommend turning off the heat and covering the pan with a metal lid or baking sheet to smother the flames. Anyone unable to quickly control the fire should leave the building, close the door behind them and call 911.

Officials said working smoke alarms can provide critical early warning during a fire and may help prevent an emergency from becoming a tragedy.