If a grease fire is burning, what is likely to happen if you add water?

• A. The fire will be put out
• B. The fire will spread slowly
• C. The fire will explode
• D. The fire will smolder

Answer: (C)

Grease fires happen when cooking oil gets extremely hot. Water and hot oil don’t mix. Water is denser, so it sinks to the bottom and immediately boils into steam. That steam expands a lot in an instant and can violently push the burning oil around, causing a flare-up or explosion-like burst. That’s why adding water to a grease fire is dangerous and why the correct outcome is a sudden, dangerous eruption rather than putting the fire out.

If a grease fire starts, don’t add water. Instead, if it’s small and manageable, cover the pan with a metal lid or dry baking sheet to smother the flames, or use a fire extinguisher rated for grease fires. For any large or spreading fire, evacuate and call emergency services.