Rescue from house follows intense kitchen fire.
By: Jennifer Potash
A Clay Street man suffered second-degree burns from a kitchen fire at his residence early Thursday morning.
Michael E. Yates, 53, sustained burns to his head, neck and shoulders, and was listed in critical condition Thursday at the burn unit of Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia.
Princeton Borough Police Department Sgt. Curtis Vanchoff and Patrol Officers Gary Mitchell, James Doyle and Holly Sorbino responded at 2:45 a.m. to a report of smoke coming from Mr. Yates’ residence and, fearing someone may be inside, entered the house, said Lt. John Reading.
"They felt the back door, which was warm and could be a very dangerous situation," Lt. Reading said.
The officer kicked open the door and smoke poured out from a stove fire, Lt. Reading said.
The police officers found all four stove burners and the oven turned on, with some macaroni cooking in a pot, Lt. Reading said.
The flames were too intense to be put out with a fire extinguisher and the excessive heat and smoke made a further search of the house impossible, Lt. Reading said.
Firefighters Brandon Stone and Truestar Urian, wearing Scott Air packs, found Mr. Yates unconscious and curled in a ball on the living room floor, Lt. Reading said.
Mr. Yates was treated at the scene by the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad, which then transported him to Capital Health System’s Fuld Campus in Trenton. He was later transferred to Temple University Hospital.
The Princeton Hook and Ladder Co., Mercer Engine Co. and Kingston Fire Department responded to the fire.
A tenant living above Mr. Yates’ unit was briefly evacuated but was able to return to her apartment, Lt. Reading said.
Mr. Yates’ residence was declared uninhabitable by the borough’s fire marshal, he said.
The fire remains under investigation, Lt. Reading said.

