Villager out of her home after microwave fire damages kitchen

A Villager is out of her home after a microwave fire damaged her kitchen.

The 86-year-old had been cooking a baked potato when the fire erupted at about 4:45 p.m. Friday inside the appliance at her home in the 800 block of Barrymore Loop in the Village of Ashland.

She safely evacuated the home prior to the arrival of The Villages Public Safety Department.

The first-arriving fire crew found light smoke visible from the roof. They advanced a 1¾-inch attack line into the residence and discovered that the fire had extended into the surrounding cabinetry and wall. Crews quickly extinguished the flames, limiting damage primarily to the kitchen.

“Firefighters conducted a thorough search for hidden fire extension. During overhaul operations, crews observed heat damage behind a wall adjacent to the kitchen after removing a decorative painting. Salvage covers were deployed to protect the homeowner’s belongings while firefighters carefully opened the wall to inspect for concealed fire. Burned materials were removed until clean, unaffected structural components were exposed. Thermal imaging cameras confirmed there was no remaining fire or significant heat within the wall cavity or attic space,” said Robert Ramage, deputy chief of operations for VPSD.

Positive pressure ventilation was then used to remove smoke from the residence and improve interior conditions.

There were no injuries.

The damage to the home is substantial enough that the homeowner is staying with a neighbor who lives directly across the street. An insurance adjuster was at the home on Saturday, inspecting the damage.