A Thanksgiving celebration in Round Rock turned fire-tragic Thursday when a turkey fryer turned a family's festive patio into a blaze. The Round Rock Fire Department reported that the conflagration was sparked by an outdoor cooking session gone awry. "Wishing everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, we started the day with a structure fire that appears to have originated from a turkey being cooked on the patio," the department posted on Facebook.
The fire authorities didn’t specify whether the fryer was left unattended or if an unsuspecting gust of wind turned an ordinary Thanksgiving feast prep into a fire call. In either case, a feast of flames was clearly not on the menu for this household.
Highlighting the need for vigilance, the Round Rock Fire Department laid out a feast of safety tips for would-be frymasters. From the critical placement of the fryer—always outdoors and away from buildings—to checking the oil temperature with a thermometer to ensure it's around 350°F or 175°C. The challenge comes with measurements and proximity, from keeping an extinguisher within arm’s reach to ensuring the turkey's complete defrost to avoid a splattery skirmish with hot oil.
Among the advice dispensed, the department urgently recommended: "Never leave it unattended," the department posted on Facebook. The emphasis is on vigilance, reminding us that the sparkling celebration could go dark with a single diversion of the cook’s attentive gaze.
