Fire Extinguishers
Save Lives
See It – Grab It – Use It
Schertz, TX – When a fire broke out at a Schertz, Texas apartment building, a nearby police officer rushed in to help. Using a portable fire extinguisher, he was able to quickly get the fire under control and make sure everyone living in the apartment was safely evacuated. Thanks to his response, damage to the apartment was limited and no one was injured.
KTSA – San Antonio, TX
Miles City, MT – A staff member at a Miles City, Montana elementary school is being praised for a quick response when a fire broke out in the cafeteria’s kitchen. As fire crews arrived, they found light smoke emanating from the school and the successful evacuation of students taking place. Upon entering, firefighters found that a staff member had completely stopped the fire with a portable fire extinguisher. Fire officials thanked the staff member for the quick response, which prevented serious damage to the building and allowed the students to return to class later that day.
NonStopLocal – Miles City, MT
Philomath, OR – An Oregon man is being credited for his quick thinking after his camper caught fire while driving on the highway. When he noticed smoke emanating from the camper, the man pulled over, called 911, and then used a portable fire extinguisher to knock down the flames. He was then able to safely unhitch his vehicle and move it away from the camper. When firefighters arrived on scene, they made sure the fire was fully out. Fire officials noted that the man’s actions prevented serious damage and a potentially dangerous situation.
Philomath News – Philomath, OR
Lorain, OH – When a kitchen fire broke out at an apartment complex in Lorain, Ohio, a neighbor’s quick actions prevented a potential disaster. After hearing screams for help coming from a neighboring apartment, the man took a fire extinguisher from the hallway and used it to knock out the flames. By the time firefighters arrived, the blaze was fully extinguished. Following the incident, officials commended the man for his bravery, noting that his actions prevented substantial damage to the apartment complex and potentially saved lives.
The Morning Journal – Lorain, OH
High Springs, FL – In High Springs, FL, a family awoke to smoke and flames when a candle that had been left burning started a fire in one of their bedrooms. Fortunately, the homeowner had kept a fire extinguisher in the home and safely used it to knock out the fire before firefighters arrived on scene, preventing significant damage to the home. Upon arriving, firefighters found that the fire was contained to the bedroom and completely extinguished.
Alachua Chronicle – High Springs, FL
Williamsburg, VA – A motorist in Williamsburg, VA is being hailed as a hero for assisting a trapped truck driver after his fuel transport truck crashed and caught fire. As flames began to spread to the truck’s cab near the driver, the bystander quickly identified the fire extinguisher on board and used it to stop the flames before they could reach the driver. After the fire was out, she tended to the driver until first responders arrived on scene and transported him to a nearby hospital. Thanks to the bystander’s quick action, the driver is expected to make a full recovery.
Williamsburg Yorktown Daily – Williamsburg, VA
La Grange Park, IL – In La Grange Park, IL, firefighters responded after an automatic fire alarm was triggered at a 27-unit apartment complex. Upon entering the complex, they found that a kitchen fire had been put out by a resident using a portable fire extinguisher. Thanks to the resident’s response, damage was limited to the kitchen, and no one was injured. After the incident, fire officials highlighted the importance of fire safety, encouraging everyone to keep a portable fire extinguisher and check smoke detectors regularly.
Chicago Tribune – La Grange Park, IL
Cortland, NY – When a fire broke out in the kitchen of a Cortland, NY home, tenants quickly jumped into action to avoid disaster. Following a 911 call, Cortland firefighters responded to the home to find smoke coming from the second floor. By the time they entered the home, a tenant had already used a portable fire extinguisher to put out the fire and began ventilating the room. After the incident, Cortland fire officials noted that thanks to the tenant’s actions, the home suffered no structural damage.
WXHC – Homer,NY
Monroe, LA – Two elementary school teachers in Baskin, LA are being praised for their courageous actions when they found an A/C unit on fire in the teacher’s lounge. As the flames began to spread to the nearby curtains, one teacher located a fire extinguisher while the other pulled the fire alarm to trigger an evacuation. Although she had never used a fire extinguisher before, the teacher used it safely and effectively to knock out the fire in a matter of seconds. Fire officials praised the teachers for their heroic actions, noting that their actions likely saved lives and prevented devastating damage to the school.
KNOE – Monroe, LA
Zumbrotra, MN – In Zumbrota, MN, a police officer’s swift response to a fire prevented serious damage. When a bystander called to report a fire, the sergeant arrived to find the exterior of a home ablaze. After confirming that the home had been safely evacuated, the sergeant used a portable fire extinguisher to put out the flames. When fire officials arrived on scene, they confirmed that damage was limited to the exterior of the home. Thanks to the officer’s timely response, the residents returned home shortly after the incident.
KIMT3 – Rochester, MN
Latest Stories
Fire extinguisher used to save car crash victim
Chester, NY – In Chester, New York, a bystander’s use of a portable fire extinguisher helped control a car fire long enough for first responders to rescue a trapped driver. Footage of the incident shows police officers arriving at the scene as the bystander grabbed a portable fire extinguisher from his vehicle and used it […]
Ceiling fan fire stopped by portable fire extinguisher
New Jersey – A fire in a New Jersey home was quickly brought under control thanks to the homeowner’s fast response and access to a portable fire extinguisher. The incident began when a ceiling fan suddenly caught fire, dripping burning material onto the floor. Fortunately, the homeowners were prepared and used a fire extinguisher to […]
Hero saves neighbor with fire extinguisher
Tucson, AZ – A South Tucson resident is being hailed as a hero for using a portable fire extinguisher to stop an apartment fire and protect his neighbor. On June 19, the man jumped into action after spotting smoke and hearing fire alarms while walking his dog. Seeing his neighbor struggling on a smoke-filled balcony, […]
Teenager stops kitchen fire with extinguisher
Blanchard, PA – A teenager in Centre County, PA is being praised for his quick actions after helping extinguish a fire in a neighbor’s kitchen. The fire broke out when cooking oil ignited on the stove at the home. The teen, who was visiting the home, ran to retrieve a portable fire extinguisher from his […]
Citizen honored for fire extinguisher save
Carson City, NV – A Carson City resident was recognized for rescuing a neighbor during a fire last month. After a gas explosion caused a fire at his apartment complex, the resident quickly found a nearby portable fire extinguisher and entered the burning apartment to find his neighbor trapped in a bedroom. He used a […]
Employees extinguish 2-alarm fire
Wareham, MA – Employees of Wareham, MA Dunkin Donuts used portable fire extinguishers to extinguish a two-alarm fire before firefighters arrived. The Wareham Fire Department responded to the scene after reports of a possible propane tank explosion. They found the rear exterior of the building burned but the fire already suppressed thanks to quick action […]
Home saved with extinguisher after dryer catches fire
Chester, MA – A homeowner in Chester, MA, successfully contained a dryer fire using a portable fire extinguisher before firefighters arrived. The Chester Fire Department responded to ensure the fire was fully extinguished. Fire officials praised the homeowner for having the appropriate extinguisher on hand, which prevented significant damage to the home. WWLP – Chester, […]
Extinguisher stops fire at laundromat
Corvallis, OR – At a laundromat in Corvallis, OR, a bystander utilized a portable fire extinguisher to stop a fire that started inside one of the laundry machines. After smoke alarms sounded, the individual used a nearby fire extinguisher to suppress fire. When fire officials arrived on scene, they found the fire completely extinguished and […]
Research
Portable Fire Extinguishers Dramatically Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Building Fires
Portable Fire Extinguishers are Safe & Effective Tools for Building Occupants
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About FireExtinguishersSaveLives.org
Why Fire Extinguishers are Important
How to Use a Portable Fire Extinguisher
Fire Safety Map
Are You Safe? Does your building require fire extinguishers throughout?
Every state has a State Fire Code with a section on fire extinguisher requirements. To get an overview of what state fire codes are based on and if states have made enhancements to fire codes visit the Interactive Fire Safety Map.
