How to Fight a Diesel Fuel Fire

Diesel fires are considered Class B fires by firefighting professionals. These are all fires caused by flammable liquids. They are quite dangerous and cause many deaths each year. If you find yourself faced with a diesel fuel fire, here are a few hints to know beforehand to help you extinguish it.

Things You'll Need

  • A Class B fire extinguisher
  • Find the source of the fuel and shut it off. It will be very hard to put out the fire if it is constantly being fed new fuel.

  • Pull the pin on your fire extinguisher.

  • Aim the extinguisher on top of the fire. You want the smothering agents to fall over the top of the fire and smother it.

  • Squeeze the lever on the fire extinguisher.

  • Move the spray around the top of the fire. Dry chemical and foam extinguishers will leave a film across the top of the diesel fuel that keep the fire from flaring back up.

  • Keep an eye on the fire site for about half an hour to ensure there are no more flare ups.