SALT LAKE CITY — A fire destroyed two apartments in Tooele Thursday night and two resourceful kids managed to escape it using an emergency ladder from an upper floor.
Kaitlyn Riding, the children's mother, said the fire started just after her 12-year-old plugged in their air fryer.
"Sure as heck, like, there is a huge flame coming from the cord, close to the outlet."
Riding said she had spoken with her kids about what to do and where to go if there was a fire in their home. When the time came, she turned to her kids and said, "You guys remember what to do?" And they said, "yes."
Her 12- and 8-year-old children got out down the fire escape, while Riding ran to warn her neighbors. Firefighters arrived within 10 minutes.
Two of the four units in the building are likely a total loss.
Riding said fire prevention programs at school helped her to start that conversation at home.
Tooele Fire Capt. Bryan Steward responded to the fire last night.
"It just goes to show that, fire prevention, community education and school assemblies can pay off," Steward said.
He encouraged families to have an evacuation plan and practice it often.
"The real-life fire, it is different. You can never simulate that. But as long as they have that memory going, then it'll help them," he said. "You just don't know what's ever going to happen. So it's best just to be on your guard."
The American Red Cross of Utah is assisting the two households impacted.
They offer free fire prevention resources on their website.
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Sarah Martin
