(Riverton, WY) – On May 5, the Riverton Police Department shared that fire and responder crews were addressing a house fire on Honor Farm Road in the early afternoon.
After the fire was put out, the RPD shared an update stating that initial reports indicated it was a “possible kitchen fire,” and that nine people were displaced. The update also stated that no injuries were reported and that the Red Cross was notified to assist the family.
Henri DeClercq, the Riverton Fire Department Public Information Officer, later shared with County 10 that the specific cause of the fire “is still under investigation but is presumed to be accidental.”
“The structure was a stick-built, single-family dwelling,” DeClercq stated. “The home was occupied when the fire started, and fortunately, everyone was able to evacuate prior to our arrival, and there were no injuries reported. Unfortunately, one dog perished in the fire. The home is a total loss.
“We would like to thank RPD, FCSO, Frontier EMS, and Fremont County Fire Protection District for their assistance.”
DeClercq also wanted to stress the importance of using caution while cooking and having functional smoke alarms.
“Never leave anything you are heating unattended, and keep the area clear. If you ever have a cooking fire, do not put water on the fire,” DeClercq said. “Cover the pot or pan with a lid, or smother the fire with baking soda or salt. If the fire is beyond your control, evacuate… as quickly and safely as possible, call 911 from outside, and do not reenter the home. …Test your alarms monthly, and replace the batteries twice a year. If your alarms are more than seven years old, or if they do not have a date on them, replace the unit.”