Menlo Park Home Fire Was Caused By Cooking Accident

MENLO PARK, CA — A fire that caused significant damage to a Menlo Park home Tuesday morning was caused by a cooking accident, fire officials said Tuesday evening.

A woman told firefighters she'd been cooking fish in oil on the stovetop when it caught fire. While she initially smothered the fire, she soon heard a crackling noise overhead and realized it had reached the ceiling and overhead fan screen, according to a release from the Menlo Park Fire Protection District.

The woman called 911 and fire crews arrived at the home at 11:58 a.m. Firefighters cut a whole into the kitchen ceiling and discovered an active attic fire. The crews completely extinguished the blaze by 12:20 p.m.

The fire was officially deemed accidental, although its spread was worsened by a ventilation flue pipe that didn't properly direct the fire outside the home.

Property loss is estimated at $100,000, with another $30,000 in damage to the home's contents.