Fire Extinguishers
Save Lives
See It – Grab It – Use It
Endicott, NY – The Cider Mill in Endicott caught fire one early morning this week. The fire was traced to an electrical outlet and when firefighters arrived on the scene, the staff had already been able to safely put it out with a portable extinguisher. Even though they had to close the shop for the day, no one was hurt and there was no damage to any of the property. With their large following in the community, customers were happy to hear that the fire was more of “an inconvenience and not a tragedy”.
Binghamton Press and Sun Bulletin (Binghamton, NY)
Moose, WY – Multiple fire, EMS, and law enforcement units were called to a structure fire at a Wyoming vacation destination where several hundred people were attending a large dinner event. When authorities arrived, bystanders reported that all occupants had been evacuated and that the fire had started in a commercial kitchen. Resort staff had already successfully suppressed the majority of the fire using portable extinguishers. No injuries to the public or emergency responders were sustained, and fire damage was limited to the kitchen thanks to the quick action of resort staff and their use of installed portable extinguishers.
Manchester, NH – City firefighters said a neighbor extinguished a small blaze on the third floor of a home in Manchester, New Hampshire. According to the Manchester District Fire Chief, once the neighbor had noticed the fire, he quickly used a portable fire extinguisher to knock down the flames. When fire authorities arrived, they opened the walls, decking and ceiling to extinguish any remaining flames. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.
Orcas Island, WA – Orcas Island Fire and Rescue was dispatched on Aug. 15 to a small fire located in a public restroom. The fire appeared to have been started by someone igniting a piece of toilet paper located in a plastic dispenser. Thanks to the ready location of a fire extinguisher and the quick work of an individual nearby, the flames were knocked down before extensive damage was done to the building. San Juan County Fire Marshal R.J. Myers commented that “its interventions such as this that show the importance of having extinguishers nearby, both in our homes and businesses.”
The Islands’ Sounder (Orcas Island, WA)
New Castle, PA – A Pittsburg family woke late one Saturday night to find that a charging hoverboard had caught on fire in their home. The homeowner told fire authorities that the flames were up to the ceiling. The father of the family used a portable fire extinguisher to put out the fire. The fire was likely caused by the use a charger that was not sold with the hoverboard. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.
Northridge, ND – The Bismarck Fire Department was called to the Northridge Elementary School after a fire was reported in a basement storage area. However, a school employee was able to put out the flames using a portable fire extinguisher before the fire department arrived. There were no injuries and the damage was limited to the basement. Officials determined that the fire started on a stovetop in the basement and was ruled as accidental.
Warren, TX – A quick-acting oilfield worker prevented a fire that could have burned longer on an oil storage tank in Tyler County. A possible lightning strike on an oil storage tank in the area ignited a fire on the tank’s pressure relief valve. A worker who was in the area was able to put out the flames using a portable fire extinguisher. Fire authorities arrived to ensure that the fire was completely extinguished and that there were no leaks or spills at the scene.
Post Falls, ID — Bystanders in Post Falls worked together to put out a quickly spreading fire caused by a tractor’s trailer breaking. While the driver pulled over when he heard the noise of a part snapping off, he didn’t initially spot the fire and drove away. The honks of other motorists alerted him to the fire. Motorists and a nearby homeowner worked as a team using portable fire extinguishers and a hose to control the fire until authorities arrived to completely put out to flames. All those involved left the scene without any injuries.
The Coeur d’Alene Press (Coeur d’Alene, ID)
Deerfield Beach, FL- A Deerfield home is still standing thanks to a Good Samaritan’s quick actions after he was alerted to a fire by his neighbor’s calls for help. Once he spotted the plumes of smoke, he swiftly snagged the re-breather mask he uses for his job as a pest control technician and a portable fire extinguisher. Once inside, he found that the kitchen dishwasher was on fire. He smothered most of the flames with the extinguisher until fire crews arrived on scene. There were no injuries as a result of the fire. The Good Samaritan told fire fighters that as soon as they left, he planned on driving “to Costco to get a new fire extinguisher.”
Winter Park, FL — A local Florida man was given an award for saving his disabled neighbor from an apartment building blaze. Startled by the smell of smoke on a recent evening, the man immediately brought his son to safety. Upon learning that a disabled man was still inside the building, he rushed back to rescue him. The man then proceeded to use a portable fire extinguisher to control the flames until emergency crews arrived. While presenting the honor, the Fire Chief declared that this man’s heroism prevented “a full-blown apartment fire with severe injury.”
Latest Stories
Extinguisher keeps garage fire at bay
Huntley, IL – Construction workers used a portable fire extinguisher to help contain a fire that broke out in a homeowner’s garage. The workers started with buckets of water, but as the flames grew, they found a nearby fire extinguisher and used it to suppress the flames. Fire officials praised the workers for containing the […]
Robotics students avoid disaster with extinguishers
West Newbury, MA – When a fire broke out in a Massachusetts school auditorium, a group of robotics students responded using portable fire extinguishers. After noticing a growing blaze in a trash barrel filled with sawdust, the students used the nearby fire extinguishers to control the flames before first responders arrived. School officials praised the […]
Hero uses fire extinguisher, saves seniors
South Strabane, PA – A maintenance worker’s use of a portable fire extinguisher is being highlighted for stopping a fire at a senior living facility in Washington County. When a fire broke out in a senior’s apartment, the worker quickly used a portable fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames within 90 seconds. The worker was […]
Neighbor uses fire extinguisher against cooking fire
De Pere, WI – In De Pere, WI, a fire in a townhome kitchen was extinguished using a portable fire extinguisher. When a grease fire broke out on the stove, the homeowner called 911, but before firefighters could arrive, a neighbor and a nearby police officer used a fire extinguisher to completely extinguish the fire. […]
Bystander, fire extinguisher help save home on Christmas
Henrico County, VA – A Henrico County, VA couple narrowly avoid disaster on Christmas Day by using a portable fire extinguisher to put out an electrical fire. When a bystander alerted them to a fire on their front porch, the homeowner quickly used a fire extinguisher to suppress the fire. When firefighters arrived, they found […]
11 year-old honored for fire extinguisher save
Fort Collins, CO – An 11-year-old from Fort Collins, CO is being honored for helping save her neighbor’s home after quickly extinguishing an apartment fire. When she noticed the fire, she quickly ran to grab a nearby portable fire extinguisher. Her swift use of the extinguisher prevented the fire from spreading further and potentially trapping […]
Employees use fire extinguisher against mechanical fire
Lincoln, NE – Employees at a manufacturing plant in Lincoln, NE utilized a portable fire extinguisher to stop the spread of a duct fire. After a mechanical failure in the plant’s exhaust system sparked the fire, employees used a nearby fire extinguisher to knock out the flames before firefighters arrived on scene. Fire officials praised […]
Use of fire extinguisher prevents porch fire from spreading
Elk River, MN – An employee of a Minnesota retirement community used a portable fire extinguisher to put out a fire caused by a discarded cigarette, preventing a potentially devastating porch fire. When a poorly discarded cigarette ignited a porch planter, flames and smoke began to enter the apartment building. Hearing the smoke detector, the […]
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.
