Deep-frying turkey explodes, sparks blaze that leaves dozens displaced
In a shocking incident reported by WCVB, a Thanksgiving dinner turned disastrous when a deep-fried turkey exploded, leading to a substantial fire in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Firefighters arrived to find flames shooting from the upper floors of an apartment building, with the blaze rapidly spreading to adjacent structures.
According to eyewitness accounts, it was revealed that the residents in the middle building were deep-frying a turkey on their back porch when the explosion occurred. Mayor of New Bedford confirmed that preliminary investigations indicate the deep-frying process is indeed to blame. He emphasized the dangers of frying turkey, stating, “This is not the first time this has happened, not just here, but in many places across the country.”
In light of this incident, he urged cooks to be cautious during their Thanksgiving preparations. The fire impacted multiple buildings heavily, causing significant interior damage and leaving 27 people displaced, for whom the Red Cross is now providing assistance.
Fire experts highlight the risks associated with frying frozen turkeys due to the rapid conversion of ice to steam when the turkey hits hot oil, resulting in explosive situations. This incident serves as a sobering reminder for safety during festive cooking.
This type of cooking-related accident is more common than one might think, especially during the holiday season. It’s crucial to adhere to safety guidelines when preparing deep-fried dishes to prevent such unfortunate events in the future.
What are your thoughts on this incident? Have you had any experiences with cooking accidents during the holidays? Share your experiences or tips for safe cooking in the comments!