us Home & property emergencies

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

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: 29 July 2026 Last reviewed: 16 August 2026 Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

If flames are spreading beyond the pan or you have any doubt, get everyone outside, close the door behind you if possible, and call 911 from outside. For a small oil or grease fire contained in a stovetop pan, slide a lid or baking sheet over the pan, turn off the burner if safe, and leave the pan covered until completely cool.

Do not do these things

Never put water on an oil or grease fire.
Do not move or carry the burning pan.
Do not reach or lean across flames to turn off the burner.
Do not lift the lid to check whether the fire is out before the pan has completely cooled.
Do not open an oven door while a fire is contained inside.
Do not continue trying to control the fire if it is growing or does not go out promptly.
Do not use a fire extinguisher unless you are a trained adult, the fire is small and contained, the extinguisher is rated for the fire, and you have a clear escape route.
Do not go back inside after leaving until the fire department says it is safe.

What to do now

Alert anyone nearby. Move children and pets toward a safe exit and keep your own route out clear.
If the fire has spread beyond the pan, is growing, produces heavy smoke, or makes you unsure about approaching it, get everyone outside. Close the door behind you if possible, call 911 from outside, and stay out.
If the fire is small and contained in a stovetop pan, slide a metal lid or baking sheet over the pan without moving it.
Turn off the burner only if you can reach the control without leaning over or moving through flames.
Leave the pan covered until it is completely cool. If the flames do not go out promptly or reappear, leave immediately and call 911 from outside.
If the fire is inside an oven, turn off the oven and keep the door closed. If flames escape the oven, leave the home and call 911.
Once outside, tell the 911 dispatcher about any burns, breathing difficulty, or smoke exposure. Do not return inside until firefighters say it is safe.

What can wait

Cleaning the kitchen, moving the pan, checking whether the stove or oven still works, photographing damage, contacting a landlord or insurer, and deciding what needs replacing can wait until everyone is safe and the fire department has cleared the home.

Important reassurance

A small fire contained in a pan can often be smothered with a lid or baking sheet. If you cannot cover it from a safe position or are uncertain at any point, leaving and calling 911 is the right response.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate first steps during and just after a cooking oil or pan fire. Inspection, repairs, insurance matters, and medical follow-up may require qualified help after the immediate danger has passed.

Important note

This is general fire-safety information, not a substitute for 911, fire department instructions, medical care, or advice from a qualified fire-safety or property professional.

Additional Resources

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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