By Blake Haas

NORMAL – Due to the recent uptick in stovetop fires, the Normal Fire Department urges residents to remove materials on top of stoves to prevent fires.

In the past five weeks, NFD has responded to three fires caused by appliances or other combustible materials on top of the stove.

“We just want to make sure everybody knows that you shouldn’t put anything that can burn on top of your stove and always double-check to make sure there’s nothing in your stove when you heat up the oven,” said NFD Public Information Officer Matt Swaney.

Swaney added that the kitchen is the most likely place for a fire due to unattended cooking.

“If you are cooking something, stay in there while it’s cooking. Make sure you are checking on things in the oven frequently; if it’s on a stovetop, stand by your pan. The other thing is, make sure there is nothing that can burn around your stove; on top or even on that drawer under your oven, don’t ever put anything that can put in that drawer either. Because if the burner kicks on, it could get hot enough to stop and make those things ignite.

Swaney added that if a stovetop does catch fire to dial 911 immediately.

And another reminder, Swaney, said people should not put gasoline in plastic bags and only put them in fuel containers.

“Just don’t put it in a plastic bag. Please. That’s just terribly dangerous.”

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].