CENTRAL ILLINOIS ( 25News Now ) - Thanksgiving is typically a time for family and feasting, but it is also a day when firefighters see the most cooking fires.

According to officials with the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal, more fires involving cooking equipment break out on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the year. In 2023, an estimated 1,400 home cooking fires were reported nationwide on Thanksgiving alone, a 400% increase from an average day.

Officials point to distractions in the kitchen as the main culprit.

JC Fultz, spokesperson for the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal, said that a busy kitchen can lead to food burning or the oven or stove running for longer than expected.

He said the best ways to limit distractions are to set timers, keep everyone in t

See Full Page