An Old Orchard Beach teenager suffered second- and third-degree burns to his hands, arms and feet when he tried to extinguish a fire that broke out on his family’s kitchen stove.

Old Orchard Beach Fire Chief Ricky Plummer said the fire broke out just after 2 p.m. Thursday in a mobile home at 11 Goosefare Drive.

Plummer said the boy, who is in his late teens, apparently was preparing to make french fries and left a skillet filled with oil unattended on the heated stove.

When he returned to the kitchen, the oil was on fire. The fire spread to kitchen cabinets and melted the stove hood. The teenager picked up the skillet and tried to take it outside the home, but it was too hot and he dropped it on the floor. The oil scalded him and set the kitchen floor on fire.

He was taken by ambulance to Maine Medical Center in Portland with what were believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.

Plummer said the victim lives in the home with his mother and three siblings. His name was not available.

The kitchen was destroyed but the mobile home should be habitable in a couple of days, the fire chief said. In the meantime, the family plans to stay with friends.

Copy the Story Link