How to Extinguish a Fireplace Fire

Several house fires have been caused by unattended fires left in fireplaces. Even closing the fireplace doors doesn't always contain burning logs that roll off the pile. It's more prudent to extinguish a fireplace fire before going off to bed, or leaving home. The fire can be oxygen starved to save the unburned logs, or it can be fanned to burn up the logs entirely

Things You'll Need

• Vented glass fireplace doors

Instructions

Using Oxygen Depletion

1. Close the glass doors over the opening. The doors must come completely together and be seated against the opening without significant air cracks.

2. Close over the vents. Once the vents and the doors are closed the fire will push all available oxygen up the chimney.

3. Allow time for the fire to go out. Depending on the size of the fire it will need 30 to 45 minutes for the warm glow to die down.

4. Keep the doors and vent closed for another eight hours afterward to prevent any possibility of rekindling.

Burning Down the Logs

1. Close the glass doors. For this procedure the fireplace doors do not have to close tightly over the opening.

2. Open the vents. Slide the vents open to create a draft blowing into the fireplace and up the chimney.

3. Stay with the fire until it is exhausted. The draft will fan the logs into intense burning. It is especially important to stay in the room and be sure the fire remains contained. A big pile of logs can take up to an hour to burn out completely.