HOW TO EXTINGUISH A BURNING TURKEY

1. Close the oven and broiler doors.

Turn the oven off.

2. Open nearby windows.

Smoke will pour out of the oven vent. Turn the vent-fan in the hood above the stove to its highest setting and open windows to help clear smoke. If possible, close the doors to the kitchen to contain the smoke. If you cannot close off the kitchen, open as many other windows in the building as possible to establish cross-ventilation.

3. Wait five minutes.

Ovens are designed for high heat, so it should contain the fire without a problem. Keep the oven door closed to avoid adding oxygen to the fire.

4. Open the oven door slightly.

Keep your face well back from the oven when you open the door. After five minutes, the turkey fire should have burned itself out. If it is still burning, close the door immediately and wait several minutes before opening it again. If the fire continues to burn for more than 10 minutes, call the fire department.

5. Remove the burned bird.

Use caution: It will be extremely hot. Place the bird on a cutting board or platter. Wait at least 10 minutes before touching the turkey or attempting to rescue the meat. Often only the skin and fat will be burned. (See “How to Serve Burnt Turkey”).

Be Aware

• Oven fires can usually be extinguished without help from the fire department. However, oven seals may fail in a high-heat fire, causing the fire to spread to surrounding areas. Have someone standing by the phone to call for help if needed.
• Do not attempt to pull a flaming turkey out of the oven: You risk grease burns on your arms and face.
• Do not attempt to smother a flaming turkey while it is in the oven. The high temperatures and flaming grease may ignite the material.
• Do not attempt to douse the fire by throwing flour, baking soda, gravy, or any other products on a flaming turkey. These may be combustible and may cause grease to spatter. Using a fire extinguisher will render the bird inedible.