Otis Singleton
Oven fires can be terrifying and destructive, and they commonly occur in residential settings. It is important to know how to put out an electric oven fire to save your home and your life. While there are some differences in tactics depending on the type of appliance, these basic steps apply to all ovens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First action to take | Do not open the oven door as it will feed oxygen to the fire |
| Next steps | Turn off the oven and unplug it. Unplug any other nearby electrical appliances |
| Using water | Do not use water to extinguish the fire as it can make it worse |
| Using flour | Do not use flour to extinguish the fire |
| Using baking powder | Do not use baking powder to extinguish the fire |
| Using salt | Use salt to smother small fires |
| Using baking soda | Use baking soda to smother small fires |
| Fire extinguisher | Use a fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire |
| Fire department | If you cannot extinguish the fire, call the fire department |
| After the fire is out | Open the windows to let the smoke out. Take pictures and keep lists of everything impacted by damage for insurance purposes |
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What You'll Learn
Don't open the oven door—keep oxygen supply limited
When faced with an electric oven fire, your first instinct might be to open the oven door. However, doing so will feed oxygen to the flames inside, causing them to grow larger and more intense. Instead, it is recommended to keep the oven door closed, limiting the oxygen supply and allowing the fire to eventually die out on its own.
While keeping the oven door closed, you should also act to remove the heat source. Turn off the oven and shut off its power supply by unplugging it or flipping the circuit breaker to the kitchen. If there are any other electrical appliances or devices nearby, unplug them as well to reduce the chances of the fire spreading.
It is important to note that water should not be used to put out an oven fire. Oil, grease, and electrical fires can be made worse by the introduction of water, and it also poses a risk of electrocution. Therefore, it is recommended to keep a fire extinguisher in an easily accessible location in your kitchen. A standard fire extinguisher can be used in most home fire situations, but for electrical fires, look for one marked with a "UL" symbol and rated "C".
If the fire does not go out on its own and spreads beyond the oven, do not hesitate to call your local fire department immediately. Ensure that all family members, pets, and guests are safely evacuated. Once the fire has been extinguished, whether by itself or with the help of firefighters, you can then open the windows to let the smoke escape and begin the process of assessing the damage.
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Turn off the oven and unplug it
If you have an electric oven fire, the first thing to do is to remain calm. Do not open the oven door as this will feed the flames with oxygen, causing the fire to spread. Keep the oven door closed, and turn off the oven. If it is safe to do so, unplug the oven from its power source. You should also unplug any other nearby electrical appliances to reduce the risk of the fire spreading.
If the fire is inside the oven, all you need to do is turn off the power and wait for the fire to go out. Keeping the oven door closed and the power off will limit the oxygen supply to the fire, causing it to eventually die out.
While you wait for the fire to go out, keep a very close eye on the flames. If the fire spreads beyond the oven, be prepared to use a fire extinguisher to put it out. Do not attempt to put out an electric oven fire with water, as this can be extremely dangerous.
Once the fire has gone out, open the nearest window to let the smoke out of the house. You may need to replace the oven if it has been damaged by the fire.
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Unplug other nearby electrical appliances
In the event of an electric oven fire, it is important to act quickly and calmly. Firstly, do not open the oven door. While your instinct may be to open it, the fire needs a fuel source and oxygen to continue burning. Opening the door will only feed it more oxygen, causing the fire to spread. Instead, keep the door closed until the fire goes out on its own.
While you wait, make sure to unplug any other nearby electrical appliances or devices. This is a critical step that could reduce the chances of the fire spreading and causing further damage. By removing potential fuel sources, you can help contain the fire and prevent it from growing in size and intensity.
Locate the plugs of all nearby appliances and unplug them one by one. If possible, turn off the circuit breaker to the kitchen as an additional safety measure. This will cut off the power supply to all appliances in the area, reducing the risk of the fire spreading.
As you unplug appliances, move them away from the oven and stove. This creates a safer distance between the fire and any potential fuel sources. It also gives you more space to work and helps prevent you from accidentally knocking into something and causing spillage or further damage.
Remember, your priority is to starve the fire of oxygen and fuel. By unplugging nearby electrical appliances, you are removing potential fuel sources and reducing the risk of the fire spreading. This simple yet effective step can help keep the situation under control while you wait for the fire to extinguish.
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Use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire
If an electric oven catches fire, it is important to act quickly and safely. Firstly, if it is safe to do so, shut off and unplug the oven. If you cannot unplug the stove, switch off the kitchen's electric circuit breaker. Also, unplug any other nearby electrical appliances to reduce the risk of the fire spreading.
Next, if possible, keep the oven door closed. This will limit the fire's oxygen supply and help to prevent it from spreading. However, if the fire is on the stovetop, you should not keep the oven door closed, as this will only fuel the fire.
If the fire does not extinguish itself, you may need to use a fire extinguisher. It is recommended to keep a fire extinguisher in an easy-to-reach location in your kitchen. When using the extinguisher, stand at least eight feet away from the fire and aim above the flames. A standard fire extinguisher can be used in most home fire situations, but avoid smaller aerosol-style extinguishers as they require you to get too close to the fire.
After using a fire extinguisher, the affected area and any nearby appliances will need to be thoroughly cleaned. This includes cleaning the exterior and interior of the stove, oven, and any other affected appliances. It is important to remove all soot, grime, and any leftover residue to prevent another flare-up. If the job seems too challenging or time-consuming, consider hiring a professional fire damage restoration company.
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Open windows to let smoke escape
If an electric oven catches fire, it is important to remain calm. Do not open the oven door, as this will feed the flames with oxygen, causing the fire to spread. Instead, turn off the oven and, if it is safe to do so, unplug the appliance. If there are any other electrical appliances or devices nearby, unplug those too.
Once the fire has been extinguished, open the nearest windows to let the smoke escape. It is important to keep the windows closed while the fire is burning, as this will limit the amount of oxygen available to the flames. However, once the fire is out, opening the windows will help to ventilate the room and allow smoke and other odours to escape.
If the fire is still burning or starts to spread, do not put yourself or others at risk. Call the fire department immediately and ensure that everyone, including pets, evacuates the building.
It is important to note that water should not be used to put out an oven fire, especially if the fire involves oil or grease, as this can cause the fire to spread. Additionally, water is a conductor of electricity, so using it on an electric oven or near electrical appliances can be extremely dangerous. Instead, keep a fire extinguisher in your home, easily accessible, to put out any oven fires.
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Frequently asked questions
Don't panic. Keep the oven door closed to prevent oxygen from feeding the fire and turn off the oven. Unplug the oven and any other nearby electrical appliances. If the fire doesn't go out on its own, use a fire extinguisher to put it out. Do not use water, as this can be dangerous around electrical appliances.
Always supervise your oven while it's on and avoid wearing loose clothing while cooking. Keep the oven clean and ensure dishes are covered or placed on a pan to prevent spillage. Don't use your oven to store items.
Keep a lid next to the oven to smother flames. If the fire is too large, pour a generous amount of baking soda on it. If that doesn't work, call the fire department or use a fire extinguisher.
Open the windows to let the smoke out. Take photos and keep a list of everything impacted by the fire for insurance purposes. Call your insurance company right away. Clean the oven thoroughly and test it before using it again.
