WALKING AWAY FROM HER TOASTER ENDED UP CAUSING A COMMOTION ON HER BLOCK!

That’s what recently happened to a neighbor. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the number one cause of house fires is unattended cooking. (Faulty electric devices can also catch fire.) The NY Fire Dept. (NYFD) reminds us to stay in the kitchen while cooking. Luckily no one was hurt, and the smoke was aired out in this incident. But, when a fire does break out in a home or other building, it’s good to know that trusty fire fighters are not far away. There is a fire station at 415 W.125th St, and another at 502 West 113th St. Two of the fire fighters there, below, posed for a photo. As an aside, the NYFD can take some credit in making the dalmatian breed famous as fire dogs. Due to their expertise as carriage dogs that apparently liked to escort horses back in the day, it was logical that they would serve well running ahead of horse drawn fire carriages, warning people to get out of the way in the 1870s. Few NYFD stations now can boast of a pet dalmatian, but Engine Company 74, located on W.83rd St. does have such a mascot, called JT who loyally rides to and from fires along with his team. Although the station house on W. 113th St. just west of Amsterdam Ave. doesn’t keep a live one, it does boast of a dalmatian of sorts, created by a clever artist so as to cover an air vent, which sits on the pavement outside the firehouse. Something to look for on your afternoon outing?