Kitchen fire on Ash Street contained

COLUMBIA — A kitchen fire on Monday evening in an apartment at 202 W. Ash St. was contained prior to arrival by firefighters, according to a news release from the Columbia Fire Department.

The fire caused moderate smoke damage in the home. There were no injuries, and damage is estimated at $5,000, the release said. The apartment building is owned by AMAX Properties L.L.C.

The apartment occupant, Connie Thompson, told fire crews that she was heating cooking oil on the stove and became distracted, according to the release. She noticed the fire after the smoke alarm sounded. A neighbor called 9-1-1 for assistance shortly after 5 p.m. Monday. Thompson and her 3-year-old daughter were in the apartment at the time.

The firefighters used electric fans to remove the remaining smoke from the building, the release said. They used thermal imaging to ensure there was no fire in the wall or near the stove.