Kitchen Fire Suppression Methods

The kitchen is the location of approximately half of all residential fires. Most of these fires are small when they start and can be suppressed without the fire service — but only if you respond correctly and immediately. Using the wrong method (particularly water on a fat fire) can turn a manageable kitchen fire into an explosive, uncontrollable one.

The Golden Rule: Never Use Water on a Fat or Oil Fire

A burning fat or oil fire is above 300°C. Throwing water onto it causes the water to instantly vaporise, creating steam that picks up burning oil droplets and projects them as a fireball that can cover an entire kitchen in milliseconds. This kills people.

If you have any doubt about what type of fire you have in the kitchen: use a fire blanket or leave and call the fire service.

Types of Kitchen Fires

1. Pan Fire (Cooking Oil or Fat)

What it looks like: Flames from a frying pan, wok, or saucepan. Common when cooking oil overheats.

What to do:

1. Turn off the heat source if you can reach it safely.
2. Use a fire blanket — take it from its wall mount, hold it up so it covers your hands and forearms, and slowly place it over the entire pan. Do not drop it or throw it — slide it over the top of the pan.
3. Leave the blanket in place — do not lift it to check for at least 30 minutes. If you remove it too early, the reigniting oil can re-ignite immediately.
4. Leave the room and call the fire service — even if the fire appears out.
5. Do not move the pan — the hot oil is still there; moving it risks spilling it.

What not to do:

• Do not put water on it — explosive steam reaction
• Do not use a standard ABC dry powder extinguisher on a hot oil fire — it may not be effective and can disturb the burning oil
• Do not try to carry the pan outside

2. Oven Fire

What it looks like: Flames or heavy smoke inside the oven.

What to do:

1. Close the oven door — this cuts off oxygen and typically causes the fire to self-extinguish.
2. Turn off the oven — cut the heat source.
3. Do not open the door to check for 15–20 minutes.
4. Leave the room if you see smoke continuing to pour from the oven seal — call the fire service.

Note: If you open the oven door, the inrush of oxygen can cause the fire to flare dramatically.

3. Microwave Fire

What it looks like: Flames, smoke, or sparking inside the microwave.

What to do:

1. Do not open the door — this contains the fire.
2. Turn off the microwave at the socket (or pull the plug if accessible without burning yourself).
3. Keep the door closed until the fire is clearly out.
4. Do not use the microwave until it has been inspected.

4. General Kitchen Fire (Burning Cloth, Paper, Surface)

For fires involving surfaces, cupboards, or materials other than oil:

1. ABC dry powder extinguisher — these are Class A fires; standard ABC extinguisher is appropriate.
2. PASS technique: Pull the pin; Aim at the base of the fire; Squeeze the trigger; Sweep side to side.
3. If the fire is larger than a waste bin or growing: get out immediately; do not attempt to fight it.

When to Fight vs. When to Get Out

Attempt suppression only if:

• The fire is small and contained
• You have the right extinguisher accessible
• The exit is behind you (not on the other side of the fire)
• You can fight the fire for no more than 30–60 seconds

Get out immediately if:

• The fire is larger than a waste bin
• Smoke is filling the kitchen
• You are not certain which type of fire it is
• You do not have the right suppression equipment

A kitchen fire can become uncontrollable in under 2 minutes. Getting out early and calling the fire service is always a valid choice.

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Quick Reference

Fire Type	Best Suppression	Never Use	If Unsure
Fat/oil pan fire	Fire blanket (slide over pan)	Water	Get out; call fire service
Oven fire	Close door; turn off	Open door	Wait 20 min with door closed
Microwave fire	Keep door closed; turn off	Open door	Don't open; unplug
Cloth/surface fire	ABC dry powder extinguisher	Water on electrical; oil	Get out if larger than waste bin
All fires	Consider size — if doubtful: get out		Call 999/911