Fire Extinguishers
Save Lives
See It – Grab It – Use It
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 students, noting that no one was injured, and the damage was limited thanks to their swift response.
CBS News – West Newbury, MA
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 awarded a Certificate of Valor for his courageous response, and the apartment complex also received recognition for its significant investment in safety upgrades, including portable fire extinguishers.
11 News – South Strabane, PA
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. Upon arrival, firefighters determined that the fire was contained to the kitchen and that everyone had gotten out safely. Fire officials encouraged everyone to keep a fire extinguisher at home, especially near cooking areas.
WBAY – De Pere, WI
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 that the fire was completely extinguished. Following the incident, the homeowner encouraged everyone to keep a fire extinguisher on hand.
ABC 8 News – Henrico County, VA
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 the occupants. The young girl, who learned how to use a fire extinguisher from her father, received the fire department’s “Community Action Award” for her heroic actions.
9 News – Fort Collins, CO
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 the employees for their quick response, noting that they likely prevented serious damage to the plant.
KETV – Lincoln, NE
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 employee quickly grabbed a fire extinguisher and put out the flames on the porch. Local fire officials praised her quick action and the importance of well-placed fire extinguishers.
Star News – Elk River, MN
Almira Township, MI – Homeowners in Almira Township, MI, used a portable fire extinguisher to put out a kitchen fire started by the family pet. According to fire officials, the family cat likely turned on the oven’s self-cleaning function which ignited grease in a pan left overnight. The home’s smoke alarm sounded, waking up the homeowners who quickly used a portable fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire before firefighters arrived.
MI Patch – Almira Township, MI
Traverse, City MI – In Traverse City, Michigan, a conservation officer is being recognized for rescuing a driver involved in a two-vehicle crash. While he was assisting the rescue effort, the engine of one of the vehicles caught fire. As the flames began to spread, he quickly retrieved the portable fire extinguisher from his patrol truck and extinguished the flames, preventing the fire from spreading to the driver of the vehicle. Both drivers were transported to a local hospital after the fire was extinguished.
MLive – Traverse City, MI
Somerset, KY – At a Dairy Queen in Somerset, Kentucky, employees quickly extinguished a kitchen fire before firefighters arrived. Firefighters dispatched to the scene were relieved to find that employees had already put out the flames using a portable fire extinguisher. The firefighters noted that the employees had completely extinguished the fire using proper fire extinguisher techniques. The swift response to the incident prevented serious damage and no injuries were reported.
FOX56 – Somerset, KY
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
Videos
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.
