A drop of water caused a fire in the kitchen of Qiying High School. The chef suffered facial injuries and was sent to the hospital.

A fire broke out in the kitchen of the Welfare Club of Zhongli Qiying High School, and firefighters went to rescue it. (Photo by reporter Xie Wuxiong)

Located in Qiying High School in Zhongli District, Taoyuan City, a fire alarm was reported in the kitchen of the welfare club at noon today. Thick smoke came out of the scene. Firefighters arrived to quickly control the fire and evacuate the students. Currently, only one chef suffered facial injuries and was sent to the hospital. It is reported that the preliminary investigation is that when the chef was frying food, a drop of water accidentally fell into the fryer and caused the fire. The cause of the fire and property damage are still under investigation.

The fire department stated that large frying pans are used in school kitchens. Due to the large amount of oil and high temperature, once water droplets accidentally fall into the high-temperature oil pan, it is very likely to cause an oil explosion and fire in an instant. Because the boiling point of water is only 100 degrees, it will quickly vaporize when it comes into contact with high-temperature hot oil. The volume will instantly expand 1,700 times, causing the hot oil to splash violently. Small oil droplets will cause a fire if they come into contact with the fire.

The Fire Department reminds you not to pour water to extinguish the fire when the oil pan catches fire. You should turn off the heat source under safe conditions and use appropriate fire-extinguishing equipment to avoid the spread of the fire.

A fire broke out at Qiying High School in Zhongli. The fire started in the welfare club kitchen on the first floor. (Photo by reporter Xie Wuxiong)