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Cambridge Fire Department Offers Safety Tips Related to Kitchen Grease Fires in Response to Recent Incidents

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

Put a lid on it - cooking safety

 

 

Page was posted on 5/23/2023 12:26 PM
Page was last modified on 7/25/2023 12:22 AM
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