Cambridge Fire Department Offers Safety Tips Related to Kitchen Grease Fires in Response to Recent Incidents
5/23/2023 • 11 months ago
Last week, there were at least 2 kitchen fires started by burning pans of grease on the stove. In both cases, water was thrown into the burning pans, which actually intensified and spread the fires.
A much better & safer option would be to put a cover on it & turn off the heat source.
Thankfully in these 2 incidents, sprinklers contained the fires until fire companies quickly arrived to complete extinguishment, overhaul the area, check for further extension, and ventilate. In one of these fires, a resident received minor burns from the fire.
Below are some important tips from the National Fire Protection Association about grease fires on the stove:
- Always keep a lid nearby when you are cooking.
- If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by sliding the lid over the pan.
- Turn off the burner. Do not move the pan. To keep the fire from restarting, leave the lid over the pan until the pan has cooled.
- Never pour water on a cooking pan grease fire.
- Only trained adults should use a fire extinguisher on a grease fire.
- Only Class K fire extinguishers are rated for the purpose of putting out grease and animal fat fires.
If you do have an out-of-control fire on the stove or oven, call 911 immediately from a safe area.
For more information, go to the MA Department of Fire Services link on Cooking Safety and Burn Prevention
