How to Put Out a Sudden Grill Fire | SERVPRO® of Piscataway

Grill fires can happen in a moment, and though they are common, that does not make them any less frightening. It is estimated that nearly 5,700 grill fires occur annually, leading to thousands of injuries and millions in property damages, meaning that grill fires can be catastrophic if they are not quickly extinguished.

While some grill fires may just start and stop with a flare-up, others can begin to spread and do serious damage to whoever is grilling as well as anything nearby. While prevention is always the top priority when it comes to grill fires, knowing how to react if one does start is an important part of staying safe.

Extinguishing a Sudden Grill Fire, Step by Step

1. Turn off the fuel if it is safe to do so. If you experience a fire on a propane grill and can safely reach the knobs, turning off the burners will eradicate the heat source and allow the fire to dissipate more quickly. If the propane tank itself is near the fire, you should get as far away as possible and call the fire department immediately.

2. Smother the flames. If the fire is small, salt and baking soda can work to smother the flames of a grease fire. It is also good to close the lid if it is safe to do so, to prevent the amount of oxygen moving toward the flames. Never attempt to use water to douse the fire, as that will actually make the flames worse.

3. Use a fire extinguisher. The reason why it is recommended to always keep a fire extinguisher nearby is just in case a sudden grill fire does start, you will want to be able to handle it before it grows out of hand. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher that is rated to combat grease fires on hand and use it quickly to extinguish the flames.

If your home has been damaged in a grill fire, we are here for your restoration needs. You can get in touch with us no matter the time, either to learn more or to report damage and get a quick response from our expert technicians.