Cooking causes most apartment fires

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - The Westfield fire that displaced more than 100 elderly residents Monday night was started by an electric stove burner that was accidentally left on.

According to the state fire marshal, more than a third of all fires in one and two family homes are caused by cooking. That number more than doubles in apartments; around 80 percent of apartment fires start in the kitchen.

West Springfield Fire Deputy Chief Robert Manchino told 22news a lot of people are injured trying to put fires out themselves. “Call the fire department regardless of the size, don't extinguish the fire, and evacuate the house. Even if you think it's out call the fire department because we can check your cabinets, your walls and be sure.”

Manchino also recommends checking smoke detectors monthly and changing the batteries when you change your clocks.