A West Fargo man suffered second-degree burns on his hands and legs after carrying a burning pan outside to save his family from a kitchen fire. Brandon Mellgren was cooking in his West Fargo home when a fire erupted, creating flames that reached four to five feet high. โI noticed some orange shadows on the wall when I was coming down the stairs and I saw about a four or five foot flame,โ Mellgren said.
The flames quickly spread throughout his kitchen. In a moment of panic, he made a desperate decision to grab the burning pan and carry it outside. โI kinda just grabbed the pan and ran outside and basically the oil was spilling everywhere. It got all over my hands and my legs,โ he said.
He was rushed to the hospital and suffered deep second-degree burns to his hands and legs. Mellgren said his actions were driven by fatherly instinct. โIt was just a fatherly instinct kicking in rather than just what should I do, what should I do?โ Mellgren explained. โIโm just saving my family and thatโs what itโs all about. Iโll do it again.โ
Local fire officials praised Mellgrenโs courage but said his actions were extremely dangerous. They recommend having fire extinguishers or baking sheets nearby to smother potential grease fires. โEither extinguishers or having lids next to it. Donโt leave them unattended. If there is a flare up or a fire, itโs best to cover or smother them out,โ said Chief Chris Mahoney, of Southern Valley Fire and Rescue.
Officials said smothering or covering works best, and water should never be used in grease fire situations. The safest option is evacuating and calling 911 immediately. The fire chief said he sympathized with Mellgrenโs decision as a fellow father. โIโm a father of two girls so I completely understand and relate to that of wanting to make sure everybody is okay,โ Mahoney said.
Mellgren said an infinite switch on his stove had been acting up the day before the fire, making it go red hot even on medium-low settings. The switch was replaced the following week. Everyone in the Mellgren family is safe despite his burns, but he faces a long recovery process ahead, tending to his wounds at burn specialists in Minneapolis.
If faced in a similar situation, he said he would make the same choice again. โDonโt do what I did, but protect your family if you have to, you know,โ Mellgren said.
