Kitchen fires #1 in Sioux Falls

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -  Kitchen fires are the leading cause of fires in Sioux Falls.

Fire Marshal Dean Lanier says it’s important that residents know how to deal with a kitchen fire. Lanier says never try extinguishing a grease fire with water.  Lanier says unattended cooking was responsible for over a third of home cooking files.

Ranges account for 57% of home cooking fire incidents and ovens accounted for 16%.  Two of every five home fires started in the kitchen.

This is Fire Prevention Week, an opportunity to check your smoke detectors and practice home escape plans in case of fire

This year's theme is "Working smoke alarms save lives."