How to respond to the most common types of kitchen fires — cooking oil, oven, microwave, and general kitchen fires — using the right suppression method.
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.
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.
What it looks like: Flames from a frying pan, wok, or saucepan. Common when cooking oil overheats.
What to do:
What not to do:
What it looks like: Flames or heavy smoke inside the oven.
What to do:
Note: If you open the oven door, the inrush of oxygen can cause the fire to flare dramatically.
What it looks like: Flames, smoke, or sparking inside the microwave.
What to do:
For fires involving surfaces, cupboards, or materials other than oil:
Attempt suppression only if:
Get out immediately if:
A kitchen fire can become uncontrollable in under 2 minutes. Getting out early and calling the fire service is always a valid choice.
| 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 |
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