By Peter Day
Leader Editor
LUCERNE VALLEY • A family of four lost their home Tuesday when a grease fire in the kitchen became out of control, according to a San Bernardino County Fire Departmentspokesperson.
The fire consumed a double-wide mobile home next to an alfalfa field on Lincoln Road near Canbria Road in Lucerne Valley.
“Food was on the stove; the owner was cooking with grease and the grease caught fire,” county fire Capt. Josh Wilkins said.
Afterward, the greasy contents in the pot spilled out, burning the man’s arm. The fire flashed and quickly spread from the stove, which lacked a protective hood, he said.
The man, a woman and her two children who lived in the home escaped the fire. However, the family’s pet dog was lost. The names of the residents were not released.
A call was received at 12:08 p.m. and fire personnel from the Lucerne Valley, Victorville, Baldwin Lake and Fawnskin stations arrived to extinguish the fire.
The home was fully engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived, Wilkins said. “It took about half an hour to knock down.”
Wind and the lack of a water supply presented immediate challenges for the firefighters.
Two San Bernardino County fire investigators were on scene as fire crews completed their tasks a few hours later.
The man was treated at the scene and declined further treatment.
Red Cross of Victorville was called to help provide shelter and basic necessities for the family, according to Wilkins.
Wilkins said the grease fire should serve as a reminder that people should use extreme caution when a grease fire starts.
“Never move it. Don’t put water on it. Just cover it. That will put it out,” he said.