Damage minimal in turkey-deep fryer mishap

Friday, November 23, 2018

CLOVERDALE — A Warren Township family might just have its intact home to be thankful for following a Thanksgiving fire involving a turkey and a deep fryer.

At 4:42 p.m., Cloverdale Township firefighters were dispatched to the home of Eric and Cheryl Blue at 7857 S. CR 25 East on a report of porch fire.

The Blues had apparently been preparing the bird in a deep fryer on the back porch when the hot oil overflowed, catching boards of the porch on fire.

Firefighters arrived at the residence to find the fire basically out, thanks to some quick work from the family.

“They had smothered it out with blankets when we got there,” Cloverdale Fire Chief Kerry Shepherd told the Banner Graphic. “We just put out the hot spots.”

Firefighters remained on the scene for about an hour to ensure nothing flared up, even pulling up some boards to check under the porch.

Shepherd estimated there to be about $1,000 worth of damage.

Eric Blue was burned in the fire, suffering third-degree burns to his foot and second-degree to his arm. Shepherd said that despite their severity, the burns were small.

The chief added that he believed the family took Blue to Putnam County Hospital and he was released later Thursday evening.

Shepherd said things could have been a lot worse.

“It sounded a lot worse when we got toned out than it turned out to be. We had everyone coming like we normally would,” Shepherd said. “I’m just glad it turned out the way it did.”

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: