If a fire starts but is too large to fight with a portable extinguisher, what should you do?

• A. Try to fight it with a larger extinguisher
• B. Evacuate immediately and call emergency services; do not attempt to fight a large or spreading fire
• C. Shut doors and windows to contain it, then continue to fight
• D. Turn off the power and continue to fight

Answer: (B)

When a fire has grown too large for a portable extinguisher, the priority becomes getting people to safety and calling for professional help. Extinguishers are designed for small, contained fires; once flames are spreading or heat and smoke are intensifying, you can quickly lose your chance to escape or endanger others by attempting to fight it. The best action is to evacuate the area using your safest route, alert others, close doors behind you if possible to slow the fire’s spread, and immediately call emergency services.

Trying to use a bigger extinguisher, or attempting to contain the fire by closing doors and continuing to fight, or turning off power and continuing to fight, can put you at serious risk and allow the fire to grow worse. Leave firefighting to trained responders and focus on safe evacuation.