If a fire is small and controllable, what is the recommended action?

• A. Evacuate the area immediately
• B. Ignore and continue service
• C. Attempt to extinguish with a portable extinguisher while staying aware of the fire and re-evaluating
• D. Call for medical assistance

Answer: (C)

When a fire is small and controllable, the best course is to use a portable extinguisher to try to put it out, while staying aware of how the fire is evolving and being ready to re-evaluate the situation. This relies on acting quickly and decisively but only if you can do so safely: you should have a clear path to exit, the right type of extinguisher for the fire, and the ability to stop if the fire grows or you can’t reach it without putting yourself at risk. If the fire doesn’t respond promptly, or if there’s any doubt about your safety or the ability to escape, you should evacuate. Ignoring the fire and continuing service or seeking medical help for a non-injury situation isn’t the immediate action in this scenario.