Safety · checked 5 Oct 2026
A grease fire on the stove
Safety, right now
- Never use water or flour. Do not move the pan.
- Small, contained fire only: slide lid over pan if safe.
- Spreading, smoky, or unsure? Get everyone outside; call 911 immediately.
Fix it nowSeven steps
- Alert everyone: fire. Keep your escape route clear.Others need warning; you need a safe way out.
- Attempt covering only tiny, pan-contained flames, with clear air and an unobstructed exit.Smoke, spreading flames, or uncertainty mean leave immediately.
- If safe, slide a nearby metal lid or baking sheet completely over pan.Covering smothers flames; never reach through flames.
The other four steps
- Turn off the burner only if reachable without crossing flames.Removing heat helps prevent the fire from continuing.
- Leave the pan unmoved and covered until completely cool. Do not peek.Removing the cover too soon can restart the fire.
- If covering is unsafe or flames persist or spread, get everyone outside immediately.Do not keep trying when conditions are unsafe.
- Call 911 immediately from outside; give your address and report a grease fire.Firefighters need to respond; do not delay escape to call.
When to stop
Stop and get a pro if:
- Flames spread beyond the pan or continue after covering: leave and call 911.
- Smoke makes breathing or seeing difficult: leave and call 911.
- No suitable cover is within reach, or reaching controls crosses flames: leave; call 911.
- You feel unsure or your escape route is threatened: leave immediately; call 911.
What it probably is
Oil overheatedOil smoked before flames appeared; burner was on high.For a pro
Cooking left unattendedA pan stayed on a lit burner while nobody watched.For a pro
Grease buildup on cooking surfacesVisible grease residue where flames started outside the pan.For a pro
Get it done
More than a quick fix? Vora gets quotes privately and recommends one pro.
Checked against
- CPSC — Recipe for Safer Cooking
- U.S. Fire Administration — Cook Top Fire Safety Tips
- U.S. Fire Administration — Cooking Fire Safety
- U.S. Fire Administration — Choosing and Using Fire Extinguishers
Written for Vora from these public sources and checked on 5 Oct 2026. General guidance, not a substitute for a pro on site. In danger, leave and call 911.