Fire Damage Restoration Tips: What to Do During and After Grease Fires

10/5/2021 (Permalink)

Dealing with a cooking fire is always a stressful experience. Above all, try to keep calm and remember these dos and don’ts for dealing with a grease fire:

1.      Don’t Use Water on a Grease Fire

Unlike most fires, pouring water on a grease fire will make things worse. Instead of extinguishing the flame, the water will scatter the burning oil, spreading the fire.

2.      Don’t Pour Flour or Sugar on Grease Fires

Flour and sugar are flammable, and pouring either on a grease fire only fuels the flames.

3.      Don’t Use a Water-Based Extinguisher

Every kitchen needs a fire extinguisher, but not just any extinguisher. A water-based fire extinguisher will have the same effect as pouring water on a grease fire.

4.      Don’t Carry the Fire Outside

Carrying a pan with a grease fire outside is extremely dangerous. The burning grease may spill, injuring the carrier or spreading the fire to other areas of the home.

How to Correctly Deal with a Grease Fire

1.      Switch Off the Stove

Immediately turn off the stove. If the controls are inaccessible due to the flames, turn off your main gas or power supply.

2.      Use a Metal Lid

Putting a lid over a flaming pan will starve it of oxygen and extinguish the fire. If a metal lid isn’t available, a metal baking sheet will suffice. The lid must completely cover the flames, or they may still have access to oxygen.

Make sure to leave the lid on for at least a couple of minutes to ensure the flames are out. Glass or plastic lids are not suitable substitutes for putting out a cooking fire.

3.      Douse the Flames with Salt or Baking Soda

Pouring salt or baking soda on a flame will smother it. The amount of baking soda or salt needed will depend on the size of the flame. Do not use baking powder or flour in place of baking soda.

4.      Grab a Class B Flame Extinguisher

An Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) extinguisher that shoots foam or a class B dry fire extinguisher is best for putting out a grease fire. When using the extinguisher, stand back to prevent being hit by hot grease or flames.

When Do You Need a Professional?

If baking soda or a class B chemical fire extinguisher fails to fire, immediately go outside and call the fire department. Once the fire is out and the fire department grants permission to enter the building, call SERVPRO of Spartanburg to begin the clean-up process. 

The fire restoration process generally has a few stages: 

• Inspection and damage assessment
• Steps to prevent further damage (tarping any exterior holes, for example)
• Addressing any water left behind by suppression efforts
• Removal of any smoke or soot from walls and surfaces
• Cleaning, repair, and restoration

While waiting for the fire restoration company to arrive, avoid the area of the fire as that may spread soot to other areas. Don’t eat any food from the kitchen and leave the power off. Remember to call your insurance company to begin the claims process. 

How to Prevent Grease Fires

While it’s crucial to know how to handle a grease fire, knowing how to prevent them is also helpful. 

• Cook with appropriate utensils
• Never leaving the stove unattended
• Fry with cooking oils that have a high smoke point, such as canola, peanut, sesame, or sunflower oil
• Remove moisture from food before placing it in hot oil
• Have an easily accessible class B fire extinguisher in the kitchen

About SERVPRO

For clean-up after a grease fire in Spartanburg, contact SERVPRO. SERVPRO of Spartanburg County is a leading provider of fire, water, and storm restoration services, as well as mold remediation and commercial cleaning.