However, four pillows were not enough to control the fumes, and the fire started when they came into contact with an ignition source believed to be a drying oven. Eyewitnesses said the fire gave off very thick, black smoke almost immediately, which prevented those nearby from being able to fight it with extinguishers. The fire was quickly contained by the local fire department with no detectable chemical contamination. Damage was due mostly to smoke and water and was confined largely to the lab of origin. Had the occupants not closed the doors before evacuating, smoke damage to the rest of the building likely would have been much worse.
Fire extinguishers have their limits.
Don't attempt to use an extinguisher on a fire that is producing large quantities of smoke in an enclosed space. Lab layout is important, as is a little common sense. Improper Labels A university had a explosion in a hood in one of its research labs. Within a min. She got twenty feet from the hood when the bottle exploded with tremendous force.