If a lavatory fire occurs and the door is closed, what is the proper procedure?

• A. Notify PIC, isolate the area, and prepare for evacuation; do not forcibly open the door unless safe to do so.
• B. Break the door down and fight the fire from inside.
• C. Open the door immediately to vent smoke.
• D. Ignore the incident and continue the flight.

Answer: (D)

When a lavatory fire occurs with the door closed, containment and crew coordination come first. Keeping the door shut helps starve the fire of oxygen and prevents smoke from entering the cabin, bought time for a safe response. The immediate steps are to inform the PIC and other crew, isolate the lav area, and prepare for the possibility of evacuation if the situation worsens. Do not force the door open unless it is clearly safe to do so. Opening the door can feed the fire with fresh oxygen and endanger everyone in the vicinity. If you’re trained and the fire is small, you may attempt to use an appropriate extinguisher from the doorway without entering the lavatory; otherwise rely on the lavatory’s built-in suppression system and the crew’s containment actions. Throughout, maintain clear communication with the cockpit about the fire status and be ready to implement an emergency procedure or diversion if needed. The emphasis is on containing the fire and protecting passengers and crew rather than trying to vent the smoke or fight the fire from inside.