A kitchen fire broke out in a West Ashley apartment complex on Mary Ader Avenue on Wednesday night around 6:33 p.m. Charleston Fire Department crews arrived in under four minutes, contained the blaze quickly using an extinguisher, and prevented it from spreading to nearby units. No serious injuries occurred—one resident was checked for smoke inhalation but released on site. The American Red Cross is aiding the displaced resident.
Cause and Fire Safety Tips
Investigators ruled it an unattended cooking incident, with flames spreading to cabinets. The Charleston Fire Department shared these reminders to prevent similar fires:
- Keep combustibles away from the stovetop.
- Stay in the kitchen while frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling; turn off the stove if you must leave.
- Check simmering, baking, or roasting food regularly and stay home while cooking.
This aligns with national stats from the NFPA: unattended cooking causes about half of home fires, often in kitchens.
Local Context
West Ashley, part of Charleston’s Lowcountry, sees frequent fire calls in multi-unit housing due to dense layouts. Similar incidents have hit nearby areas like James Island. For real-time updates, check the Charleston Fire Department’s site or local scanners via Broadcastify.
Stay safe—want details on nearby fire stations, Red Cross resources in Charleston, or recent Lowcountry fire trends?
