A House Fire in 5 Minutes

2/15/2021 (Permalink)

The speed with which a small fire can grow to engulf an entire home is incredible. A single flame can spread out of control within a matter of seconds. From there, it only takes 5 minutes for fire to consume an entire home. Let’s look at the progression of a house fire minute by minute:

30 Seconds

About half of all house fires begin at the stove. Stovetop flames spread with incredible ease, igniting nearby fat and grease residues in a fraction of a second. From there, kitchen combustibles (paper towels, potholders and rags) heat up, smolder and begin to burn, introducing toxic smoke. If caught within the first 30 seconds, the fire can be smothered using an extinguisher. 

1 minute

If the stovetop fire goes unnoticed, it rapidly grows higher and hotter as it begins to spread around the room. Within 60 seconds, many combustible items are consumed by flames. As the flames advance, a plume of hot air and smoke rises up and across the ceiling.

2 minutes

The hot plume of smoke begins to grow thick and deep beneath the ceiling. Carbon monoxide levels are dangerously high. Flames begin to spread outwards into hallways and adjoining rooms. Eventually, the fire will begin traveling through the vents.

3 minutes

In a little as 3 minutes, kitchen cabinets, wooden shelves, and countertops are completely consumed by the fire. With so many combustible materials, the temperature in the upper layer of hot gas reaches deadly levels- 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The smoke is now dense enough that it hangs just above the floor, and it is growing increasingly toxic.

4 Minutes

It only takes 3.5 minutes for the heat from a fire to reach 1100 degrees Fahrenheit. This level of heat can cause all materials in the room to spontaneously catch fire, meaning everything is engulfed in flames. As oxygen is sucked out of the room, glass windows shatter. Flames pour out of doorways and begin to burn ceilings and walls, traveling to other areas of the home at a rapid speed.

5 Minutes

Flames can be seen from the street. The collapse of wooden floors and even the roof is inevitable. Just 5 minutes after the initial spark, we have a full-blown house fire.

Evacuation

During a house fire, every second matters. It is essential to have an evacuation plan in place to keep you and your loved ones safe. Gather each member of your household together to create a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes. Consider drawing a floor plan of your home and marking two ways out of each room, including windows.

In the event that a fire has occurred inside your home, you will need to have it professionally cleaned to ensure deadly smoke and toxins are safely removed. SERVPRO of Burlington / Mt. Holly is able to assist in the aftermath of a fire. Give us a call today to learn more about our fire cleanup & restoration services.