In a fire involving liquids, what should you avoid using as an extinguishing method?

In a fire involving liquids, water is not an appropriate extinguishing method because it can cause the fire to spread. This is particularly true for flammable liquids, which can float on the surface of the water and continue to burn. When water is applied to a burning liquid, it may create a vapor explosion or a larger fire hazard by splashing the burning liquid and increasing the area of the fire.

For liquid fires, such as those classified under Class B fires, special extinguishing agents designed to combat flammable liquids should be used instead. These agents, like foam or dry chemical extinguishers, are specifically formulated to smother the fire and prevent the vapors from igniting. Understanding the proper response to different types of fires is crucial for personal safety and effective fire management.