Common Types of Fire and How to Respond

Fires in homes and workplaces usually start from one of four common sources: electrical faults, cooking oil and grease, flammable liquids (petrol, solvents, paint), and ordinary combustibles like paper, wood, and fabric.

Each source calls for a different response. For an electrical fire, cut the power first if it's safe to do so — never use water while the circuit is still live. For a kitchen grease fire, water is also the wrong choice, since it can cause the oil to splatter and spread the flames; covering the pan or using a fire blanket is safer.

Because each fire type behaves differently, matching the right kind of fire-suppression equipment to each area — kitchens, electrical rooms, chemical storage — matters far more than relying on a single all-purpose extinguisher for an entire building. If a fire grows beyond what you can safely handle, evacuate immediately and call your local fire service.

This article is general education, not a safety plan. For guidance suited to your specific space, reach out to the AFS team.