Accidental grease fire at Roundtree Apartments causes $25K worth of damage
Roundtree Apartments community manager Cheryl Desjarlais consoles Fellon French, 28, after her kitchen caught fire Wednesday afternoon.
Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com
Three fire engines and three utility vehicles responded to the fire that started around 2:55 p.m.
Ypsilanti Township Fire Capt. Larry Jamessaid firefighters arrived on the scene shortly after and put out the fire in about seven minutes. James said no one was injured, and the fire was ruled accidental. All of the damage was in the kitchen.
“I’ve seen worse and they called right away,” James said. “They (the family) would have tried to fight it but they didn’t know where the extinguisher was.”
James said he estimates the fire caused nearly $7,500 worth of content damage, and he was told the family did not have any rental insurance.
Betsey Schneider, associate vice president of McKinley, which owns the apartment complex, said Red Cross was on site to provide the family with help.
Fellon French, 28; her son Aidan, 7; and her mother, Linda Mackson, were in the apartment when the fire started.
Ypsilanti Township firefighters wrap up a hose after putting out a kitchen fire at Roundtree Apartments on Wednesday afternoon.
Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com
“That kind of stove will start a fire and I don’t know why they even have these stoves,” French said. “Now look at my place, all because of a stove. My son was trying to save some stuff and I was like, ‘boy, come and leave the stuff there.’”
French said although the fire was contained to the kitchen, the entire apartment was filled with black smoke.
“The smoke was so bad,” French said. “We were running all around to find a pot of water or a fire extinguisher and we knocked on our neighbor’s door and told them there was a fire but they couldn’t find theirs. A guy upstairs found his in his closet.”
French said she is completely devastated by the fire.
“They (the apartment complex) told me not to worry about it and that they will take care of it, but I’m worried about it because that’s me and my kid's stuff,” French said. “I lost everything once before I moved here and I’m losing it all over again.”
Katrease Stafford covers the city of Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at KatreaseStafford@annarbor.com. You can also follow her on Twitter.
Comments
blinktwice
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 3:39 a.m.
What is really unfortunate is that so many people would judge Ms. French negatively after an unfortunate accident. This forum reeks of hatred, racism, and lack of compassion for those who may encounter tragedy. Lets hope that you all never face danger and if you do lets hope someone will show you compassion without judgement...lets hope!
ToBlessed
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 4:17 a.m.
thank you Blinktwice
samshoe
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.
Wow, the comments on this story are terrible. I am glad that everyone here is so much smarter than this poor woman. Please have a little kindness and sympathy. She just lost all the contents of her home.
blinktwice
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 3:44 a.m.
and exactly what makes everyone here so much smarter than this young lady. Think before you type!!!
A2comments
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 11:35 a.m.
Renter's insurance is VERY INEXPENSIVE. Having "lost everything once" it is too bad she didn't know to get renter's insurance. Hopefully others learn from this.
CommonThought
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 2:11 p.m.
You are correct, renters insurance is rather inexpensive. Assurant, Inc., offers renters insurance for as little as $20 per month to cover personal property and replace your property.
Jack Campbell
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 4:46 a.m.
Grease fires can be surprising, and get out of hand pretty fast. Be glad that no one was injured. Things can be replaced, people can't. Always keep baking soda at hand in the kitchen.
blinktwice
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 3:47 a.m.
Thanks for the advice!
linda Mackson
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 5 p.m.
thank you she will
Ron Granger
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 2:27 a.m.
It is really fortunate that nobody was burned. Grease burns in these situations are not uncommon, and they can be very bad. It's always good to review your 'fire plan' prep before you begin frying anything in oil. Especially in small kitchens. Keep it greasy so it goes down easy!
linda Mackson
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 2:21 a.m.
@ A2James Yea I was running around looking for a Pot of water till I found out it was a grease fire But far and for most they should have had the a fire extinguisher where you could found it not look all over for it in the closet And @ Alex Nickodemus if you won't there Maybe it's Best not to coment because if you know any thing about the media they quote thing how they like so take it how you like not a joke .@ walking Joe no body place blame but your mind and she was being careful the grease poped on the eye and she wasn't in a hurry but to put it out. @ jcj yes any stove can start a fire but If you ever had a electric one you would know they are more likely to set fire before a gas one thanks but to all of you .you all may have may a point but it was pointless because you was not there and you are as bad as the media Just thanking God for our lives and if you can find it in your Hearts to just Pray for her and her Kids thank you and the a Bless night.
Scotty Jo
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 3:14 p.m.
Linda, not that it is really on topic but can you please explain how an electric stove is more dangerous than gas? What you are saying makes no sense. Furthermore, I understand your sentiment but prayer is not going to change anything at this point but information about fire safety will. That is why everyone seems so critical
Jack Campbell
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 4:43 a.m.
Punctuation is your friend.
linda Mackson
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 3:52 a.m.
@jcj that.s why I said the media quote things the way they want to and I know how bad they try to make things look but it just seem like every thing i read was nothing good how about praying and thinking God that we are all alright we are.
jcj
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 2:48 a.m.
linda I beg you pardon! I am 62 years old and have used NOTHING but an electric stove all my life. I have NEVER had a grease fire! And if you have an open flame as you would with a gas stove and grease is spilled or spatters you are MORE likely to have a fire but either one CAN start a grease fire. I was not being critical. It said NOTHING in the story about an electric or gas stove just "That kind of stove" for all I know it could have been a camp stove! Chill!
Arbuckle
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 2:20 a.m.
Also, a big thanks to the Ypsilanti Township firefighters who made quick work of this fire on a hot day. Your efforts are most certainly appreciated.
Arbuckle
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 2:15 a.m.
This is definitely a sad situation and I feel for the family, although I can't help but wonder why nobody knew where the fire extinguishers were located. I'm not sure I understand what she's saying about the stove, but if you have any doubt about the saftey of an appliance, don't use it!
linda Mackson
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 2:27 a.m.
you are the only one that said something that made sense she didn't know they had it in a closet and neither did any of the other tents they looked for theirs to and could not find theirs and I do thank the firer fighters for all they done
clara
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 2:04 a.m.
"I lost everything once before I moved here and I'm losing it all over again." what happened that time?
linda Mackson
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 3:45 a.m.
don't really have to explain but the storage flooded and she lost all her belonging
jcj
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 12:32 a.m.
Exactly what kind of stove was that? As far as I know ANY stove that gets hot enough to cook something with grease is capable of starting a grease fire.
A2James
Wed, Jun 27, 2012 : 9:35 p.m.
"We were running around to find a pot of water..." Grease Fire rule No. 1: NEVER attempt to put one out with water, it will not put out the fire but will only cause it to spread rapidly. They are lucky they couldn't find the water, it could have been a lot worse.
Alex Nickodemus
Wed, Jun 27, 2012 : 11:11 p.m.
"That kind of stove will start a fire and I don't know why they even have these stoves," French said. Right... just that kind. Not every kind, just the kind that apartment manager happened to pick out. And as for the pot of water she couldn't find, that probably saved her from third degree flaming grease splatter burns.