Deep fryer starts blaze that injures five, kills two dogs

Five people were injured and two dogs died Saturday morning in a southeast valley house fire.

The blaze on Reeder Circle, near Hacienda Avenue and Maryland Parkway, began after a deep fryer was knocked over and the oil inside ignited shortly after 11 a.m., Clark County Fire Department officials said.

Two adults and two children were taken to University Medical Center with burns. The children were in critical condition, one adult was in serious condition, and the second adult had less serious burns. The condition of the third adult, who was not burned, was not released.

A dozen or more friends and family were at the home at the time. Some of them were in an enclosed front porch with a deep fryer over an open flame. After the deep fryer was toppled, the fire spread into the house and attic, according to fire officials

The damage estimate is $40,000. The Southern Nevada Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting the family displaced by the fire.