If there is any trace of ice, the mixture of water and grease can cause a grease fire, as well as a hug explosion. Water should not be used to exterminate these fires. Fires fueled by grease are different than fires fueled by other types of flammable materials such as paper or wood products. If you have a grease fire, pouring water on it will make it worse. Never leave the kitchen unattended. Hankey Law Office fire chief breaks silence on controversy that nearly led to mass resignation ... 7 NY firefighters injured in commercial fire, explosion 1. Much like electrical fires, these emergencies require special precautions. Never use any of the following on a grease fire. Check smoke alarm batteries, and keep up with expiration dates on your fire extinguishers. Insist that. In the event of a grease fire: I'd rule that it either burns in a flash that does no damage, or minimal damage like the non-magical damage from a lit torch as a weapon — save or take 1 point of fire damage. When heating, oils first start to boil, then they’ll start smoking, and then they’ll catch on fire. If you try to douse a grease fire with water, this same principle is at play. Indianapolis, IN 46202 An independent franchise business licensed to serve you by ServiceMaster Restore® Contractor License: TGC034901, © 2019 ServiceMaster Residential/Commercial Services LP. Together, the fire and the glycerin created an explosive fireball. A grease fire happens when your cooking oil becomes too hot. Shout out an alarm to everyone inside, and follow these steps. Think hard about grease … What 3 things cause fires? Take care to only aim for the flames – splashing too much baking soda into the hot oil can result in additional damage. Make adjustments as the children grow older or you change your home’s layout. Don't put out an oil fire with water! If the fire is still small and contained to one … You can put this type of gas fire out by turning off the gas and smothering the flames. Just don’t do it. Even a small amount of water dropped into a pan or deep fryer filled with burning oil will sink to the bottom, be superheated and erupt into a rapidly expanding mushroom cloud of burning oil fumes. And these explosions aren’t easy to contain. First, always keep a Class K fire extinguisher within easy reach. If you smell smoke or burning oil, don’t stop to investigate. When heating, oils first start to boil, then they’ll start smoking, and then they’ll catch on fire. The only way milk can put out a grease fire is if such a vast quantity of milk is used that it completely submerges the fire , causing the fire to run out of oxygen. After consultation with other investigators up and down the West Coast, including the ATF, the Portland Fire Bureau said it appears grease in a pan used to cook the tofu overheated and caught fire. For example, propane, natural gas, gasoline and kerosene fires are types of Class B fires. A grease fire happens when your cooking oil becomes too hot. Leave the oven door closed. Fires are the leading cause of in-home fatalities and are the fifth-leading cause of unintentional death in the United States. That temperature varies depending on the type of oil used during the cooking process. Flames in the kitchen can turn into a house fire in less than 30 seconds. Slide a metal cookie sheet into place over the flames, and leave it. Even small grease splatters can create a fire by coming in contact with electric or gas burners. Ideally the grease bomb should be set off on a non-flammable surface, such as a sandy beach or large rock. My ears were ringing, I felt like I was on fire," said Papillion firefighter Joe LaPuzza, who was caught in a rare smoke explosion as crews battled a grease fire. Turn off the heat source underneath the pan if you can safely reach it. Before you do anything, ask yourself the following: is the fire already spreading? Never attempt to move the pan until the grease has completely cooled. In addition, it is important to have a functional fire alarm to alert you should a fire breakout. Even a small amount of water dropped into a pan or deep fryer filled with burning oil will sink to the bottom, be superheated and erupt into a rapidly expanding mushroom cloud of burning oil fumes. “Essentially, a grease fire will immediately ‘jump’ to any other sources of fuel, which in this case is oil on your counter.” If a fire ever gets out of your control, evacuate your home, call 911 and let the professionals take care of it, the NFPA says. Movement can splash hot oil or grease and spread the flames. Think hard about grease … Follow these five simple tips for preventing grease fires. Once the liquid overheats, it begins to smoke and quickly reaches a temperature that causes it to combust. As you turn off the heat source, cover the pan with a snug-fitting lid. Do not use water on a grease fire. I really hope i can get some helpful and non judge mental advice from all of you. Stay calm. Grease fires happen on stove tops, inside ovens and over backyard grills. In the typical incident, a small fire will result from combustible material coming into contact with an ignition source. Deep frying a turkey creates a much larger fire hazard that doesn’t respond to covering or smothering. Smother the fire with baking soda, salt or sand, and close the lid. For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. We want you to know what to do before it happens in your kitchen. Cleaning up after a grease fire isn’t easy. Some plastics are also Class B fire materials. Treat burns only after evacuating the building. The use of lighter fluid on a charcoal grill, for example, creates a Class B fire. If the water sinks below the fire against the hot bottom of the pan, what will happen to the water? Small grease fires can be extinguished several ways. Techniques that put out ordinary fires make grease fires worse. After consultation with other investigators up and down the West Coast, including the ATF, the Portland Fire Bureau said it appears grease in a pan used to cook the tofu overheated and caught fire. But, this classification typically does not include fires involving cooking oils or grease. ATLANTA, Ga. (CBS46) – A large fire broke out Tuesday afternoon after a third-party contractor working near the 2400 block of Memorial Drive damaged a natural gas line. Instead, keep the following steps in mind: Turn Off the Heat. Greek fire was an incendiary weapon used by the Byzantine Empire beginning c. 672.Used to set light to enemy ships, it consisted of a combustible compound emitted by a flame-throwing weapon. Our Chicago, IL office is located in Logan Square, just west of Wrigley Field and nearby Humboldt Park. A grease fire can send even the most skilled chef into shock. These four methods are effective on grease fires in pans on the stove top, but always be prepared to evacuate the kitchen just in case. Does milk put out a grease fire? Practice evacuation with the family several times a year. If you or loved one has been injured or killed in a fire caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to receive financial compensation to help you deal with your losses. If the fire gets too big then it will most likely explode. Pouring water on a grease fire can cause an explosive effect, spreading the hot oil and fire over a much wider area. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. This may be a dust explosion, but it doesn’t have to be. 434 E New York St A grease fire is on top of a lipid. You can put this type of gas fire out by turning off the gas and smothering the flames. Drop either one directly on the fire. How could that worsen the fire? Backyard chefs need to be vigilant too. Wait at least 20 minutes to ensure that the grease has cooled before lifting the lid or towel, as lifting it prematurely can add a surge of oxygen that causes the fire to reignite. A grease fire can also ignite when hot oil in the pan spills onto the heat source. In fact, it could be most any other type of explosion on this list. As the founder of ServiceMaster by Zaba in Chicago, Illinois, Diana is IICRC certified in both fire and water damage restoration. Keep flammables away from the heat source. Grease fire results in injury and death — A mother died and a father suffered severe burns after a grease fire started in the couple’s apartment. It’s even harder when soot and smoke spread from the stove to other rooms in the house. In fact, throwing water on a grease fire can cause an explosion on contact, escalating the fire’s intensity. Her years of experience include working in the field alongside her team helping home and business owners deal with the aftermath of water, fire and mold damage. Another Papillion firefighter suffered a concussion in the blast.The fire broke-out Saturday night near 102nd and Sutter Avenue.A dad, making his kids dinner, found his cooking grease on fire … It only takes a few seconds for hot oil or grease to flame up. On a regular day, the most common time to experience a grease fire is between 5 PM and 7 PM, followed by 11 AM to 1 PM. Finally, develop a home fire safety plan. The grease begins to overheat, produces smoke, and — before you know it — it catches on fire. In fire classes, a Class B fire is a fire in flammable liquids or flammable gases, petroleum greases, tars, oils, oil-based paints, solvents, lacquers, or alcohols. Hankey Law Office Tiny amounts of oil, grease, dirt or dust can also ignite and feed a regulator fire. A grease fire in the home kitchen is one mistake away from an explosion. In fact, throwing water on a grease fire can cause an explosion on contact, escalating the fire’s intensity. iStock According to the US Fire Administration, Class B fires involve ignitable liquids or gases like petroleum grease, alcohol, paint, propane, or gasoline. Put out the fire by smothering the flames with baking soda or salt. These include wooden utensils, oven mitts, dish towels and even the sleeves on your clothing. Gav and Dan show you one of the kitchen's biggest no-nos. Glenview and Wilmette. A less serious type of fire caused by gas is when the gas flames on a grill light grease on fire, causing your grill to catch fire. Our Skokie, IL office is located southeast of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and west of Northwestern University. 6 steps to prevent an oxygen tank explosion/regulator fire. This may be a dust explosion, but it doesn’t have to be. How to put out a grease fire 1; Mass. Grease fires cannot be extinguished with water. Make sure you and everyone in the house knows how to use the extinguisher in case of an emergency. We’re always here when you need us with a 24/7 response to your call: 773-647-1985. Authorities are now working to confirm what caused the fire, an official with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office told the Daily News. The kitchen smells heavenly. A sideways toss can cause flames to leap out of the pan and spread across the stove top. Phone: (317) 634-8565 Water – Water on a grease fire vaporizes instantly causing a steam explosion that spreads flames. Indianapolis, IN 46202 Cover the fire in the pan with a lid, or dampen a towel and place it over the fire. Using a fire extinguisher “will wreck the food, but better that than” a raging fire, Wilbur warned. Grease fires cannot be extinguished with water. With two prime locations, we are uniquely positioned to provide a rapid 24 hour response to fire and water damage emergencies in all of Chicagoland and suburbs including Evanston, Northbrook. ServiceMaster by Zaba specializes in kitchen fire cleanup for homes in Chicago and Suburbs, and we handle commercial kitchen fire damage restoration too. As Chicago’s largest fire restoration company, we have years of experience helping homeowners deal with the aftermath of grease fires. In general, smoking points for most oils ranges from 350 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Do you know how to put out a grease fire quickly and safely? Avoid splatters by gently lowering food into the pan. Fire extinguishers can save a … Instead, keep the following steps in mind: The best way to prevent grease fires is to stop them from happening in the first place by keeping a close eye on stove top pots and pans. If it spreads outside the oven, evacuate the house, and call 911. More than 8,000 restaurants in America are damaged by fire each year. Phone: (317) 634-8565 Grease fires can easily spiral out of control and destroy an entire home, and therefore, homeowners and their families should understand how to prevent grease fires from occurring and how to control them if they do arise. The fire set off the sprinkler system, but the sprinklers had been filled with too much glycerin. My ears were ringing, I felt like I was on fire," said Papillion firefighter Joe LaPuzza, who was caught in a rare smoke explosion as crews battled a grease fire. This method works well on frying pans and larger pots. You’re looking forward to fried mozzarella snacks or a crispy fried chicken dinner. "The explosion was loud. While hopefully you’ll never have to handle one, grease fires are one of the most common causes of both kitchen fires and house fires, so it could pay to give the matter a little forethought. Last Updated on July 15, 2020 by Diana Rodriguez-Zaba. Class B fire extinguishers work on most kitchen fires, but Class K extinguishers are formulated for safe use on combustible cooking liquids. Flour – Flour on a grease fire fills the air with particles that ignite and burst into flames. Some experts say milk also can cause a fireball or explosion when put on a grease fire . Turn off the AC during the cleaning process in order to prevent soot and smoke odor particles from spreading into other… The Hankey Law Office is equipped to remain open and serve new and current clients without a trip to the office. Fax: (317) 634-9818. Fax: (317) 634-9818. For this reason, you should never attempt to extinguish a grease fire with water. The grease may indeed be flammable, but it's not so specially flammable as to cause significant extra fire damage — if it were, it would say so. Diana enjoys sharing her knowledge and making a positive difference in the community. Grease fires can easily ignite in gas and electric ovens. Unlike protein fires, most grease or oil fires start when the liquid reaches its smoking point. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation. Stick with recommended oil temperatures by monitoring grease with a cooking thermometer. Put out the fire with a Class K grease fire extinguisher. The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. Be careful not to jolt the pan. In many instances, smothering is what puts out a grease fire the best. If you do end up with a fire that ‘s threatening more than your meal, don ‘t hesitate to call the fire department, the fire officials advised. A grease fire in the home kitchen is one mistake away from an explosion. Essentially, the water will create an explosion of steam as it hits the flaming oil, and sends fiery droplets of oil further throughout your kitchen. Toll Free: (800) 520-3633 Immediately turn off the stove top or oven, and be careful not to move the pan. If you have doubts about putting out the fire, don’t take any chances. Don’t add frozen or wet foods to hot grease. Stay safe while you’re cooking, and keep that extinguisher handy. (see Tips) Start evacuating everyone from the building.Fires spread extremely fast and can overwhelm victims in minutes. Hot grease can splatter and cause serious, debilitating burns. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled. Website designed & developed by Bright Valley Marketing. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. In fact, it could be most any other type of explosion on this list. Never use a wet towel, as this will cause the fire to expand, but dampen the towel to keep it from burning. If the fire doesn’t go out in 30 seconds, use the extinguisher. Grease fires commonly occur in the kitchen, when oil or fat on the stove becomes far too hot and catches fire. All rights reserved. Perhaps you’re sizzling breakfast bacon in the oven. Call, text, e-mail or chat with us now to learn more! The water will evaporate and turn into steam, this would cause an explosion since the water is making the fire exapnd. Baking Powder – Unlike baking soda, baking powder will ignite when thrown on a grease fire. If the grill flares up, turn off the fuel source immediately. 434 E New York St Opening it feeds oxygen to the flames inside and exposes you to intense heat. For this reason, you should never attempt to extinguish a grease fire with water. Do not lift the lid or towel to check if the fire has been extinguished. Hi guys! In the typical incident, a small fire will result from combustible material coming into contact with an ignition source. Steps . While hopefully you’ll never have to handle one, grease fires are one of the most common causes of both kitchen fires and house fires, so it could pay to give the matter a little forethought. contact the Indianapolis personal injury lawyers of the Hankey Law Office by calling (800) 520-3633 to discuss your legal options today. Always be ready with a Class K extinguisher. Ideally the grease bomb should be set off on a non-flammable surface, such as a sandy beach or large rock. However, this small explosion isn’t the problem. Grease fires aren’t confined to the kitchen. You can pour baking soda on a small fire to extinguish it. If grease catches on fire in your cooking pan, quickly put on the oven mitt, then place the lid over the pan to smother the fire. Don’t touch the sheet again until it’s had time to cool down. Greek fire was an incendiary weapon used by the Byzantine Empire beginning c. 672.Used to set light to enemy ships, it consisted of a combustible compound emitted by a flame-throwing weapon. What you do to put out the grease fire can either work for you or against you, so we encourage you to keep the following grease fire safety tips in mind. However, this small explosion isn’t the problem. Wait for the fire to extinguish itself. When igniting a grease bomb on a flammable surface such as a front lawn (pictured below) be sure to soak the entire lawn down with a hose before starting your fire. ; Call 911.There's no reason to wait, and the fire department can always go back to the station if you are able to get the fire out without help. A grease fire can send even the most skilled chef into shock. A less serious type of fire caused by gas is when the gas flames on a grill light grease on fire, causing your grill to catch fire. Most vegetable oils have a smoking point around 450°F, while animal fats like lard or goose fat will start smoking around 375°F. Most vegetable oils have a smoking point around 450°F, while animal fats like lard or goose fat will start smoking around 375°F. Chicago’s largest fire restoration company, Image: State Farm via Flickr / CC by S.A. 2.0, Fireplace Safety Tips: 8 Ways to Stay Warm and Safe, How to Choose a Fire Extinguisher for Your Business, 8 Essential Steps to Rebuilding Your Home After a Fire, southeast of the Illinois Holocaust Museum. "The explosion was loud. And these explosions aren’t easy to contain. Snuffing out the Fire Evaluate the severity of the fire. When igniting a grease bomb on a flammable surface such as a front lawn (pictured below) be sure to soak the entire lawn down with a hose before starting your fire. I am finishing my bachelors degree in health science and a minor in environmental science but I have had a change of heart and want to be a firefighter. 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Is it intended to be ; Mass lard or goose fat will start smoking around.! Oil can result in additional damage, smoking points for most oils from. B fire extinguishers work on most kitchen fires, most grease or oil fires start the.