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uk Home & property emergencies

What to do if…
cooking oil or a pan catches fire in your kitchen

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Do not move the pan, tackle the fire or put water on it. Turn off the heat only if you can reach the control safely, then leave, close the door, get everyone outside and call 999.

Do not do these things

  • Do not pour water onto burning oil.
  • Do not move, carry or lift the pan.
  • Do not try to extinguish the fire yourself.
  • Do not lean over the pan or reach past the flames.
  • Do not place a wet or damp tea towel over the pan.
  • Do not stay to see whether the fire goes out.
  • Do not delay leaving to collect belongings or search for pets.
  • Do not go back inside after leaving.

What to do now

  1. Move back from the hob and warn everyone nearby that there is a fire.
  2. If the cooker control is immediately accessible without reaching near or across the flames, turn off the heat. Otherwise, leave it alone.
  3. Leave the kitchen and close the door behind you if you can do so without delaying your escape.
  4. Get everyone in your home outside by the safest available route.
  5. From outside or another safe place, call 999 and ask for the fire and rescue service. Give the full address and say that cooking oil or a pan is on fire.
  6. Stay outside. Tell the 999 operator if anyone may still be inside, has been burned or has breathed in smoke.
  7. Once you are safely away from the fire, hold any burn under cool running water for 15 to 30 minutes, or until the pain feels better. Remove nearby clothing or jewellery, but do not remove anything stuck to the affected area.
  8. Tell the 999 operator immediately if anyone has difficulty breathing, becomes confused, collapses or is not breathing normally. Follow the operator’s instructions.

What can wait

Cleaning, checking the cooker, taking photographs, contacting your landlord or insurer, replacing damaged items and deciding what caused the fire can all wait. Do not re-enter until the fire and rescue service says it is safe.

Important reassurance

You are not expected to put out an oil or pan fire yourself. Leaving, closing the door and calling 999 are the appropriate immediate actions, even when the fire still looks small.

Scope note

This guide covers only the first steps during and immediately after a cooking-oil or pan fire. Repairs, insurance matters, tenancy issues and further medical care may require help from the relevant professionals.

Important note

This is general fire-safety and first-aid information, not a substitute for instructions from emergency services or advice from a qualified medical professional.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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