Grease Fire Injures 84-Year-Old Woman In Arnold: Officials

ARNOLD, MD — Officials said an Arnold house fire sent an 84-year-old woman to the hospital Tuesday. The flames also caused $60,000 in damage, an incident report estimated.

Firefighters noted that the blaze broke out around 7:32 p.m. They added that a home alarm service and neighbors reported the fire in the three-story, single-family house.

The write-up indicated that the flames started while the victim was heating grease on the stove. The woman tried to take the flaming pan outside, but the fire burned her, the report explained.

Medics informed that they took the victim to the burn unit at Baltimore's Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. The press release mentioned that her injuries were minor.

"When cooking, it is recommended to keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires," the Anne Arundel County Fire Department said in an email. "Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled."

Firefighters reported finding flames in the back of the home, located in the 300 block of River Road. A team of 32 crew members advised that they controlled the flames within a half hour. The group stated that the accidental blaze rolled through the kitchen, sun parlor and family room.

Additional support came from the Annapolis Fire Department and the Naval Support Activity Annapolis Fire Department, the release concluded.

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