Cooking fires are the number one cause of house fires, according to the Springfield Fire Department. With Thanksgiving next week, a lot of people will be in the kitchen cooking. That’s why the fire department held a demonstration this week showing what not to do when a cooking fire breaks out.
During the demonstration, a pan of vegetable oil was placed on a lighted propane stove. Within a minute or so, flames broke out.
When water was thrown onto the fire, the flames exploded—and spread.
That’s why Springfield Fire Marshal Ben Basham said you shouldn’t throw water on a cooking fire.
"It'll actually push the burning oil out of the pan and spread the fire onto the surfaces around it," said Basham.
The best way to put out a cooking fire, according to Basham, is to put a lid on top of the pan and turn off the stove. To prevent a cooking fire, never leave a heated pan unattended.
If the fire gets out of control, Basham said, get everyone out of the house and call 911.
