Barrhead Regional Fire Services hosts open house

It can happen to anyone.

That is what Barrhead Regional Fire Services (BRFS) captain Scott Green told a group gathered around a cooking grill as part of a fire safety demonstration.

The demonstration was just one of the activities that took place during BRFS’ annual open house to commemorate Fire Prevention Week.

“It wasn’t supposed to happen this quickly,” Green said, adding he was just preparing the grill for the demonstration and had to step away from it momentarily when it caught on fire. “So if this can happen to me, it can happen to anyone and it is important to know what to do because a grease fire is something that can happen in any kitchen.

Green then asked the crowd what was a good medium to use to put out the fire.

The crowd said water, which wasn’t the right answer.

Firefighter Matt Gallatin, donned in his bunker gear, demonstrated what happens when a person tries to put out a grease fire by pouring a large cup of water on it.

The result was a large mushroom cloud of fire. Gallatin then repeated the water demonstration two more times, with the same results.

The correct answer, Green said, if it is safe to do so, is turn off the burner and if the fire is small enough is to use lots of baking soda and/or use a Class B dry chemical fire extinguisher.