Cooking oil sparked fatal fire at Fort Collins apartment

A pot of cooking oil ignited and caused the fatal Fort Collins apartment fire Saturday.

Poudre Fire Authority investigators announced the findings of their investigation Wednesday, saying the fire was accidental.

Just before 2 a.m., PFA crews responded to the Cammire Condominiums complex at 2115 W. Plum St. after multiple people called 911 to report the fire.

Firefighters entered the second-floor apartment and found a man inside a bedroom. Dustin Burch, 29, was later pronounced dead. The coroner ruled his death an accident due to smoke inhalation and thermal injuries.

Burch was alone in the apartment, though one other person lived in the unit.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire by about 2:13 a.m., but there was smoke and fire damage throughout the unit.

"Our hearts go out to the man’s family and friends during this difficult time," PFA spokeswoman Madeline Noblett said in a written statement. "A loss such as this, or any other, is unfathomable. Tragic events such as these serve as reminders of the ways people can prepare for emergencies and live as fire-safe as possible."

PFA said cooking fires are among the most common fires to which local firefighters respond. In 2016, the agency responded to 348 fires, according to its annual report. 

PFA has responded to three fire-related deaths within the agency's service area this year.

Reporter Cassa Niedringhaus covers breaking news for the Coloradoan. Follow her on Twitter: @CassaMN. 

Prevent cooking fires

• Keep anything that can burn, such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, towels or curtains, away from the stovetop.
• Check your baking, simmering, roasting or boiling food often. Use a timer, and never leave home while something is cooking. If you leave, turn off the stovetop or oven.
• If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the oven, stovetop or microwave.
• If you have a grease fire, don’t try to extinguish it with water. Smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it completely cools.
• For an oven fire, turn the heat off and keep the door closed.
• Never put frozen food in hot oil, as it can react violently. This is particularly important to note as Thanksgiving approaches and people make plans to fry turkeys.

Source: National Fire Protection Association, Poudre Fire Authority