A kitchen fire in a Graz apartment on Wednesday evening sent three people to the hospital with suspected smoke inhalation, authorities said. The incident, which occurred in a building on Steyrergasse, marks the fifth reported residential fire in the city since Sunday.
Firefighters were alerted to the blaze around 6:00 PM local time. Initial investigations indicate that a pan containing cooking oil was left unattended on a lit stove, igniting the fire. A 29-year-vintage resident attempted to carry the burning pan to the balcony, but was unsuccessful, allowing the flames to spread within the kitchen area. The resident sustained minor injuries to his right hand during the attempt.
The Graz professional fire department quickly extinguished the fire, declaring it under control by 6:15 PM. Paramedics from the Red Cross transported three individuals who were present in the apartment at the time of the fire to the LKH Graz hospital for evaluation and treatment for potential smoke inhalation, according to reports.
The extent of the damage to the apartment is currently under investigation. Authorities have not released further details regarding the condition of those hospitalized.
