What should you do first when you see an electrical fire?
When you see an electrical fire, get everyone out of the home and call 911 from outside. Your safety matters more than the house. Close doors behind you if you can do so without delay, since closed doors slow the spread of fire and smoke.
Do not go back for belongings or pets. Tell the dispatcher the fire is electrical, so the crew knows to expect energized equipment. Wait at a safe distance for the fire department.
In a hot Arizona summer it is tempting to stay and try to handle it, especially when a window unit or power strip is smoking. Resist that. Smoke and fumes from burning wiring insulation can be harmful in seconds.
Why can you not use water on an electrical fire?
You cannot use water on an electrical fire because water conducts electricity, so a stream aimed at energized equipment can carry current back to you. It can also spread the fire and damage more of the home. Use a rated extinguisher on a small fire, or leave it to firefighters.
Water is fine once power is confirmed off and the fire department says so. Until then, treat anything plugged in, or fed from the panel, as live. A tripped breaker does not always mean the circuit is dead at the fault.
Baking soda or salt can smother a tiny flame in a pinch, but they are no substitute for the right extinguisher. Keep one rated extinguisher in the kitchen or garage and learn how it works.
Should you shut off power at the breaker during an electrical fire?
Shut off power at the breaker only if the panel is far from the fire and you can reach it without passing through smoke or flames. Never go near a panel that is hot, sparking, or in the fire path. If you cannot do it safely, leave it to the fire department.
Unplugging a smoking appliance may help if the cord and outlet are clear of flames, but if there is any doubt, leave. The wall behind the outlet may be the real source.
Remember that the main service wires from the utility stay live even when the main breaker is off. Firefighters coordinate with the utility to cut power at the meter or pole.
What happens after the fire is out?
After the fire is out and the fire department clears the home, have a licensed electrician inspect the wiring before power is restored. Hidden damage inside walls or the panel can cause a second fire. Document the damage for your insurance company and avoid turning breakers back on yourself.
Heat can damage insulation on wires that look fine from the outside. An electrician checks the affected circuits, outlets, and the panel, and repairs or replaces what is damaged. Permits and inspections may apply.
Vortech provides licensed electrical service and is open 24 hours per our Google profile. For a smoking outlet or a burning smell, call 911 first if there is fire, then call an electrician.
More questions: Electrical Emergencies and Power Outages: 12 Most Asked Questions Answered