Electric stove causes house fire

PEA RIDGE — While cooking noodles Sunday afternoon, Beatrice Watkins left the room for a short time.

She returned to a kitchen full of smoke.

Watkins, who attempted to recover valuable items before getting out of the residence, suffered first and second degree burns on her face and neck.

“It is imperative that residents, or occupants of a building that is on fire leave the building immediately, do not re-enter, ensureall occupants are in a safe place, report to first arriving fire crews what the occupancy situation is,” Pea Ridge Fire Chief Frank Rizzio said. “Seconds are rare and precious in a building fire.

Possessions can be replaced, lives cannot.”

Firefighters from Pea Ridge Fire Department, along with Little Flock Fire Department and Northeast Benton County Fire and Emergency Medical Services, were sent to Watkins’ residence at 2230 S. Harvey Wakefield Drive at around 1 p.m. Sunday.

Upon arrival, billowing smoke was so dense that the flashing lights of the fire trucks could barely be seen.

“On extinguishment, interview with the resident and inspection of the fire area, preliminary investigation shows a malfunction of the electric range that was in use at the time of the fire,” Rizzio said.

Fire damage in the home was limited to the kitchen area, although there is heavy smoke damage throughout the rest of the house.

The Red Cross is assisting the family with immediate needs.