Fire That Damaged Apt. May Have Been Caused by Plastic Item

A plastic cutting board that had been stored in an oven broiler sparked a fire that damaged a Redlands apartment on Sunday, Redlands Fire officials said.

The blaze was reported at 12:25 p.m. at a complex in the 500 block of Hibiscus Drive. The blaze started in the kitchen and caused some $35,000 in damage to the apartment and property, said Carl Baker, spokesman with Redlands Fire Department.

Residents unsuccessfully attempted to put out the blaze using a fire extinguisher, according to officials. Firefighters from Redlands and San Bernardino County responded and had the fire under out within 10 minutes Baker said.

“The broiler in most ovens is exposed to heat any time the oven is used, so it is not a safe place to store combustible items,” Baker said.

The apartment managers placed the resident in another apartment until repairs can be completed, Baker said.