Chesterton firefighters responded to their third house fire in as many days on Tuesday, this one a kitchen fire in a residence in the 800 block of South Jackson Blvd.

No one was injured in the fire but significant damage was done to the kitchen.

Lt. Brandon Smith told the Chesterton Tribune today that firefighters were dispatched at 7:45 p.m. after cooking oil being heated to fry chicken ignited cabinetry in the kitchen. The fire then extended to a wood-point ceiling.

Also responding—under an automatic aid agreement—were the Porter and Liberty Township Volunteer departments.

Only about 500 gallons of water were needed to extinguish the blaze and firefighters succeeded in confining it to the kitchen but some overhaul was needed of the ceiling to ensure that the fire hadn’t extended, Smith said.

Total estimated damage, including smoke damage to the rest of the house and the likely need to replace appliances: $30,000.

The CFD cleared the scene at 9:05 p.m.

At 10:45 a.m. Sunday, the CFD battled a blaze in one of the units of a paired patio home in the 1200 block of Griffin Lake Ave. The fire—caused by burning incense left unattended—caused an estimated $140,000 to structure and contents.

Then, at 12:18 p.m. Monday, the CFD fought a fire in a six-unit condo block in the 2100 block of Dogwood Lane in Westchester Village on the Green. That fire—caused by an electrical malfunction in a kitchen wall—caused estimated $300,000 damage to structure and contents.

No one was injured in either fire.

Posted 1/25/2012