Oil for French fries a factor in Summerlin house fire

By Jeff O'Brien

Friday, Nov. 21, 2008 | 11:37 a.m.

A Las Vegas woman was lucky to escape with her life after a fire that began in the kitchen quickly engulfed her West Valley home late Wednesday night.

Mary Zewin, who has lived at her home on Channel Rock Drive near the corner of Sahara Avenue and Fort Apache Road for more than 20 years, was cooking French fries at approximately 11:30 p.m.

After dipping the fries in a pot of boiling oil, she momentarily left the kitchen and drops of oil splattered onto the stove flame — igniting a fire that quickly spread into the cabinetry, said Buddy Flint of Basch Construction Co.

Basch Construction is contracted by the city of Las Vegas to secure and protect homes in the wake of house fires.

"She tried to cover the fire with a metal pot, but the oil was already boiling out," Flint said.

Zewin escaped the house but suffered first and second degree burns to her face and forearms. She was transported to the UMC Medical Center for treatment and was expected to recover.

Her husband and son, who also live in the house, were not present at the time of the fire, Flint said.

When city of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue units arrived at the scene, they tried to fight the blaze from the inside, but the flames worked their way into the attic.

"The firefighters made a gallant effort but the fire was above them," Flint said. "They had to drop their hoses, evacuate the building and go on the defensive. They had to fight it from the outside."

Zewin's next-door neighbor of seven years, Edward Yeghiazarian, watched as firefighters eventually doused the blaze.

"The flames were going very high into the sky," he said. "It was pretty scary."

The home suffered more than $400,000 in damage, including the loss of several koi fish and turtles, but firefighters were able to rescue the family's 12-foot python and a large lizard.

Zewin's elaborate koi pond in the back yard was black with ash in the wake of the fire, Flint said.

"We're pumping fresh water in there to try and save the rest of the fish and turtles," he said.

Flint stressed that homeowners should never throw water on a grease fire under any circumstances. Fire extinguishers designed for grease fires should be used instead.

"I'm glad she got out of there alive," he said. "She could have been covered in burning oil."

Although the entire second floor of Zewin's home will have to be replaced, as well as all of the burn areas downstairs, Flint said the house could be saved.

Zewin and her family were well known in the neighborhood, Yeghiazarian said.

"They always had people over for the holidays," he said. "It's going to be tough for them."

Jeff O’Brien can be reached at 990-8957 or [email protected].