Grease fire in kitchen causes major damage

GIRARD -- Firefighters said cooking grease on a stove caught fire, extensively damaging a house at 8 Randolph St. The grease literally exploded, igniting the kitchen and surrounding area, said Capt. Drew Aurilio.
Firefighters were called to the home at 6:10 p.m. Tuesday, but the fire already had spread, and it was difficult to get into the house to attack the blaze, he said.
He declined to identify the tenants, a man and a woman, but said the woman was cooking when the fire started.
Damage to the house is estimated at $35,000 and damage to its contents at $15,000. Aurilio said the tenants had no insurance and were planning to move out of the house today.
The tenants were unable to get anything out of the house although their dogs and three of their five cats were rescued, Aurilio said.