Lebanon Woman Severely Burned Trying to Move Burning Pot from Stove

The Lebanon Fire Department would like to remind everyone that a pot burning on the stove should never be picked up.

A 65-year-old woman from Lebanon was flown by a REACH helicopter to a Portland Hospital with severe burns after she fell asleep while a pan was still on the stove. Photo: Kevin Hays Salem-News.com

(LEBANON, Ore. ) - A 65-year-old woman from Lebanon was flown by a REACH helicopter to a Portland Hospital with severe burns after she fell asleep while a pan was still on the stove.

Lebanon Fire Department was called to the home in the 600 block of Tangent Street around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday night. When they arrived they found the home full of smoke and the victim laying on the floor near the front door.

The fire had extinguished itself prior to the firefighters and medical units arrival. Fire officials said the woman was awakening by the fire alarms in the home going off, and when she went to the kitchen to investigate, she found the burning pan on the stove and attempted to move it to the sink when her clothing was ignited in the process.

The victim was transported to Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital by ambulance, and later flown to the burn center at Emanuel Hospital in Portland by REACH 8 helicopter. Her condition is not available at this time.

The Lebanon Fire Department would like to remind everyone that a pot burning on the stove should never be picked up.

The best way to extinguish this type of fire is to smother it by sliding the lid of the pot or a cookie sheet onto the top of the pot from the side and then turning off the heat source and then calling your local fire department. Water, baking soda, baking powder, or any other substance should never be introduced to the pot.