Neighbor Saves Man Asleep as Grease Fire Smoke Engulfs his Apartment

The San Angelo Fire Department responded to a fire in the Cliffhouse Apartments, 1818 South Harrison Street, near Angelp State University early this evening.

According to Fire Investigator Karla Steppe, an occupant of one apartment was cooking dinner and heating up grease up to cook French fries. He fell asleep in his recliner as the grease continued to heat.

A neighbor was walking by the apartment and smelled smoke. The door was unlocked, so the neighbor walked inside. The smoke was so thick, he said, that he couldn’t see the hand in front of his face.

The apartment dweller had a fire extinguisher and was able to extinguish the fire before the fire department arrived.

No one was hurt, Battalion Chief Ricky Chief said.

Steppe said that the Red Cross has been called because the apartment may not be inhabitable. Residue from the fire extinguisher makes it unsafe.